P’sinan woman electric co-op exec shot dead

BASISTA, Pangasinan – A female executive of the Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative (Cenpelco), who was to celebrate her 46th birthday today, was gunned down while driving home along the highway here Wednesday night.

Senior Inspector Ramon Diaz, Basista police chief, told reporters that the victim, Sandra Frias, head of Cenpelco’s material service department at its main office in San Carlos City, was cruising the highway in Barangay Dumpay here on board her white Isuzu Hi Lander when she was shot in the neck and left arm.

The gunman, believed to be riding a motorcycle, struck when Frias reached an isolated spot. Police did not find any empty shell in the crime scene.

Responding policemen found Frias’ vehicle in a rice field and rushed her to the Blessed Family Hospital in San Carlos City, but doctors pronounced her dead on arrival.

Diaz said investigators were looking into all possible angles in the killing, including the possibility that it could be work-related since Frias was in charge of inquiries into illegal electric connections.

According to a source, Frias also headed the grievance committee of Cenpelco, one of the biggest electric cooperatives in the country, that handled complaints against employees.

Diaz discounted robbery as a motive since Frias’ bag, cellular phone, wallet and other personal belongings as well as grocery items were all intact in her vehicle.

Diaz said Frias’ family has not yet given information that might help police solve the killing.

He added though that the police respect this and would wait until they are ready to talk about the incident.