Police probing slay of Ilocos Sur couple

By Freddie Lazaro

CAMP PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur – Police are now investigating the murder of a live-in couple, who were gunned down by unidentified suspects, in Barangay Cabaritan, Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur last week.

Police identified the victims as William Lipadan Riputula Jr, 46, mechanic and a resident of Barangay Padu Chico, Santo Domingo town and his live-in partner, Lilian Umani. The couple was reportedly headed home onboard a tricycle when they were shot by the suspects.

Both victims sustained numerous gunshot wounds in different parts of the body and were dead on-arrival at the hospital.

Police are reportedly considering two motives for the shooting incident.

One was that the couple was engaged in a lending business, and that one of their clients may have been behind the crime. The other was that Riputula was facing a criminal case for violation of Republic Act 9262, or the anti-violence against women and their children act.