DAR officer dead in Albay office – police

The police in Tabaco City,  Albay, ruled as suicide the death of Escolastisco Monilla, 56, a Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) officer whose body was found in his Barangay Baranghawon office Friday.   "Witnesses said they heard a gunshot at around 3 a.m. inside the office. But his cadaver was discovered at 9 a.m. this morning (Friday)," said Senior Supt. William Macavinta, Albay provincial police director.   Macavinta noted they are looking into the suicide angle, since Monilla's 9mm pistol was found near his body. "We believe it is a case of suicide," he said.   Initial investigation showed that the shot came from the same gun, fired at close range.   As of this posting, the motive has not yet been established why  the DAR officer of Tiwi and Malinao would kill himself .   "We are now conducting background investigation to know if he has some problems," said Macavinta, whose men went to interview members of the Monilla family in Ligao City. Witnesses last saw the DAR officer alive around 9 p.m. Thursday, said Macavinta. — VS, GMA News