Cop shot dead in Ecija restaurant

CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines – A police officer was shot dead by an unidentified assailant at a restaurant in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija on Sunday.

Senior Police Officer 2 Manuel Pangilinan, 45, of the Gen. Tinio town police, was declared dead on arrival at the Gonzales General Hospital.

Reports said Pangilinan was having dinner with three friends at Joel’s Eatery in Barangay Diversion when the assailant approached them and shot him several times.

The assailant fled on a motorcycle, according to case investigator Police Officer 3 Giovani Penamante.

Probers recovered 13 bullet shells for a 9mm pistol at the crime scene.

Police believe the killing could be due to an old grudge or job-related.