5 tagged in Ilocos judge's killing

LAOAG CITY, Philippines – Police yesterday tagged five suspects in the killing of a municipal circuit trial court judge in his house in Currimao, Ilocos Norte last Tuesday night.

Probers, however, chose not identify the suspects yet pending the investigation.

Judge Fredelito Pingao of the 3rd Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Sarrat, Ilocos Norte was slashed in the neck by his attackers.

He was found dead in the living room of his house in Ba­rangay San Simeon, Currimao town on Wednesday when his driver went to fetch him.  

Chief Superintendent Franklin Bucayo, Region 1 police director, said investigators were looking at two motives behind the judge’s murder: conflict over a piece of land and personal grudge.

The five suspects, who were allegedly seen with Pingao before he died, would be subjected to fingerprint investigation for matching with the pieces of evidence recovered from the crime scene.

Pingao was also serving in an acting capacity as presiding judge of Branch 1 of the Laoag City Trial Court.

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos condemned the killing and urged police authorities to fast-track the investigation and give justice to Pingao’s family.

Ilocos Norte Executive Judge Conrado Ragucos and Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Ilocos Norte president Richard Tumaneng condemned the incident, too.

“It’s a senseless killing,” Ragucos said, as he urged the police “to leave no stone unturned in their investigation and bring the killers to court.”