Gun-for-hire tagged in shooter slay hunted

MANILA, Philippines - Police are tracking down two suspected members of a gun-for-hire syndicate tagged in the murder of a member of the Philippine practical shooting team in Malabon City.

A police official who requested anonymity said teams have been formed to hunt down Reynante Egioma, a resident of Sitio 6 in Barangay Catmon, Malabon City and Marlon Marquina, who is reportedly working as a personal assistant of a local politician.

Egioma is linked to the Sept. 25 murder of shooter Michael Lontoc at the corner of M.H. del Pilar Avenue and Sanciangco street in Barangay Catmon.

Police also found out that the .45-caliber pistol used in the killing of Lontoc was the same firearm used in the murder of Ronnie Evalarosa on Nov. 2 last year also in Barangay Catmon. The weapon was registered to Egioma.

Police filed murder charges against Egioma for Evalarosa’s killing and are set to file another murder case for the killing of Lontoc. Four men ambushed Lontoc while he was on his way home to Quezon City after attending a shooting competition in Barangay Maysilo.