Cop slain in Pasig; land row eyed

MANILA, Philippines — A policeman was killed in an ambush in Pasig City on Thursday, with investigators eyeing a land dispute as among the motives for the murder.

Police Officer 2 Manuel “Buboy” Melendrez, 48, died from several gunshot wounds while being rushed to the Tri-City Medical Center. 

“We are conducting a background investigation on Melendrez to determine who could have a possible motive in killing him. But initially we are looking into the land dispute angle,” said Chief Superintendent Bernabe Balba, Eastern Police District director. He did not elaborate.

Melendrez was assigned at the National Capital Region of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Nov. 15, said CIDG-NCR chief Senior Superintendent Tom Ibay.

According to initial reports, Melendrez and his wife, Shirley, arrived in a van at the family compound in Barangay Caniogan at around 11:45 p.m. Thursday after going to the Pasig Market.

Melendrez was about to open the compound’s gate when he was shot.

“What we gathered is that the gunman was hiding in the dark portion of the street and opened fire at the victim at close range. So far, we are (trying to convince) witnesses to come out and help us identify his killers,” Balba said.

Police recovered bullet casings from an Armalite rifle at the scene.