LAOAG CITY — At least six persons were tagged by police investigators as suspects in the killing last September 4 of Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) Board President Lorenzo Rey Ruiz.

Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Rose Marie Ramos said she conducted an inquest on the case before midnight last Sunday.

Task Force “Ruiz” operatives under Provincial Director Senior Supt. Benjain Lusad had arrested two of the suspects based on the testimonies of witnesses, including INEC Board Vice President Rey Lazo.

Lazo was with Ruiz when the gunman repeatedly shot the top INEC official at close range. The killer also fired his gun at Lazo, but it misfired.

The seventh suspect was killed in the ensuing chase.

Ruiz, father of Manila Bulletin reporter JC Bello Ruiz, had been receiving death threats, police said. (Jun Guiang)