The slain Engr. Nestor Espenilla, acting division chief of the National Irrigation Administration – Maguindanao. (Photo courtesy of Dennis Arcon – DXMY Cotabato)
COTABATO CITY – Authorities said they are investigating the identities of the two men who shot dead an irrigation official on Monday afternoon as he arrived home in Barangay Rosary Heights Mother.
Maj. Rustom Pastolero, city police station 2 chief, said investigators already have vital leads that could identify the attackers of Engr. Nestor Espenilla, 62, the acting division chief of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Maguindanao office.
“He succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds from .45-caliber pistol,” Pastolero said of the 5 p.m. ambush of Espenilla.
Espenilla, a widower, just arrived at his home after work when two men riding tandem on a motorbike showed up and opened fire on him at close range.
Pastolero said responding policemen rushed him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Espenilla survived an ambush on February 27, 2020, also in Cotabato City, according to Pastolero.
“We are trying to determine if the two incidents were related,” Pastolero said, adding that police probers continue to explore other possible motives of the attack.
Espinilla’s relative said he had no known enemies at work, at home, or in the neighborhood where he lives. (PNA)
