MASINLOC, Zambales – The suspect in the rape and attempted slay of a 9-year-old girl last Wednesday in Palauig town was killed in a shoot-out with police in Masinloc Sunday.
Police said they were closing in on the hideout of Christopher Abella alias “Angel” in Sitio Bolinting, Barangay San Lorenzo, Masinloc when they were fired upon by the suspect, prompting them to return fire.
The suspect was hit in the chest which led to his instantaneous death, police said. A .38 pistol was reportedly seen near his dead body.
Abella who was the subject of a police manhunt after committing the heinous crime was said to have been seen by two girls Sunday morning in a river near a place called Burik at the boundary of Palauig and Masinloc.
The girls reported his presence to the residents nearbywho in turn tipped the police.
Reward
With the death of the suspect, came now the question on who will receive the P100,000 reward money promised by Palauig Mayor Billy Aceron to anyone who could provide information on Abello’s whereabouts.
Will it be the tipsters or the police?
Aceron said early Monday morning that he was still “in the blank” on the rightful recipient of the award whichhe said will be discussed in a meeting with the police.
