By Jennifer P. Rendon
Police have filed a murder case against three Indian nationals suspected of killing a pastor over an unpaid PHP 300,000 loan.
Major Harold Rendora, chief of the Pavia Municipal Police Station, said the case was lodged before the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on Jan. 27.
He did not disclose the suspects’ identities but hinted that they are loan sharks.
Authorities are verifying whether the suspects are still in Iloilo, though recent intelligence suggests they have not left the country.
Police said witnesses identified the three Indian nationals as the individuals behind the murder of Douglas Jover, 62, a resident of Telecom Compound, Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro, Iloilo City.
Investigators believe the suspects planned the killing after Jover allegedly failed to repay his PHP 300,000 loan.
Reports indicate that Jover had used the borrowed money as an investment in cryptocurrency.
Jover was shot dead inside his vehicle on Jan. 10 in Pavia, Iloilo.
Residents reported hearing gunfire around 6:30 p.m., moments before Jover’s white Geely Coolray crossover crashed into a roadside fence.
The gunman fled on a motorcycle driven by an accomplice.
Authorities are exploring the possibility that Jover knew the gunman, who may have been inside the vehicle when the shooting occurred.
Police are continuing their investigation as they work to track down the suspects.
