A 47-YEAR-OLD former police officer was shot and killed inside a cockpit arena in Sitio Gungab, Barangay Poblacion, Albuera, Leyte on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
The victim, a resident of Ormoc City who had been absent without leave (Awol) since 2007, was watching a cockfight when an unidentified assailant opened fire with an unknown-caliber firearm.
He was struck in various parts of the body and died instantly, the Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas said.
The incident triggered panic, causing gamblers, bettors, and cockpit arena staff to flee in different directions.
Personnel from the Albuera Municipal Police Station immediately launched an investigation and hot pursuit operation to identify and apprehend the suspect. (Ronald O. Reyes/SunStar Philippines)
