Hit jobs go for as low as P5,000 in Ilocos

Laoag CitY, Philippines – Hit jobs in Ilocos Norte now go for as low as P5,000 – or the price of a low-end mobile phone.

Thus said provincial board member Kristian Ablan in a privilege speech before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan last week following the killing of young lawyer Eddie Gregorio here.

Gregorio was the third lawyer gunned down in the province by suspected hired killers.

Police have filed murder charges against two suspects – Pepito Cachola and Randy Dagdagan – who witnesses tagged as the ones who shot Gregorio while he was walking home after reportedly meeting a client.

The killing adds to the long list of assassinations sowing fear among the provincial folk, Ablan said.

Ablan said hired killers “are getting bolder and bolder by the minute,” adding that a successful hit job could go for as low as P5,000.

“Is that how cheap and expendable human life is nowadays?” he asked. “This madness has to stop immediately. I am deeply saddened.”

Senior Superintendent Benjamin Lusad, Ilocos Norte police director, said they are trying their best to stamp out these killings.

He said they are not losing focus on the proliferation of loose firearms in the province with checkpoints being put up in all towns on a regular basis.

Lusad though appealed for help from Ilocanos, asking them “to be bold in testifying against criminals.”