By Jennifer P. Rendon
Three Indian nationals allegedly involved in the usury business are suspected to be behind the killing of a pastor on January 10, according to the municipal police of Pavia, Iloilo.
Nearly two weeks after the incident, authorities have yet to file charges against the suspects in the death of Pastor Douglas Jover, who was shot in Barangay Anilao, Pavia.
Lieutenant Gabriel Manguera, Pavia deputy police chief, said witnesses identified the three Indian nationals as suspects. However, police are waiting for the witnesses’ availability to verify their statements.
Manguera disclosed that the suspects were known to the witnesses due to a money-related transaction, but further details were not provided. The suspects are reportedly living together under one roof.
Police suspect that Jover may have owed money to the suspects, though the exact amount involved remains unknown. Authorities had earlier identified debt as one of the possible motives for the killing.
The 62-year-old Jover, a resident of Telecom Compound, Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro, Iloilo City, was shot and killed inside his vehicle, a white Geely Coolray crossover, around 6:30 p.m. on January 10.
Witnesses reported hearing gunfire before seeing Jover’s vehicle crash into a roadside fence. Police believe the gunman fled the scene on a motorcycle driven by an accomplice.
Investigators are not ruling out the possibility that Jover knew the gunman, who may have been inside the vehicle when the shooting occurred. Jover’s family noted that he rarely allowed strangers to ride in his car.
Jover was not only a pastor but also worked as a veterinarian, according to his family.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to gather more evidence and verify witness testimonies.
