Cagayan Valley registry of deeds' cashier shot dead

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines  – Police were still clueless on the identities of two hooded, motorcycle-riding men who shot dead the female cashier of the Cagayan Valley registry of deeds in Tuguegarao City Wednesday morning.

Superintendent Pedro Martirez, Tuguegarao City police chief, said they were still establishing, too, the motive behind the killing of Luzviminda Gabriel, 48, who was shot with a caliber .45 pistol.

Gabriel was the fourth person to be killed since Camp Crame imposed a firearms ban in Cagayan last November following the failed slay try on Tuguegarao City Mayor Delfin Ting and a number of killings.

Reports said Gabriel was driving home on her Toyota Avanza from an early morning badminton game when he was fired at.

The gunman missed, prompting her to make a sudden stop and seek refuge in a noodle shop in the city’s downtown area.

Her attackers, however, pursued her inside the eatery where they cornered her and shot her at least three times, killing her on the spot. 

Martirez said Gabriel was shot in the nape and back with one of the bullets piercing her chest.

At least three empty caliber .45 shells were recovered at the crime scene.

“We are still looking into every possible motive for the killing, whether job-related or personal,” said Martirez, who confirmed that Gabriel had received death threats.

Gabriel had long been separated from her husband with whom she had three children.

 – With Raymund Catindig