LINGAYEN—The man who was shot and killed during an encounter with policemen inside the Lyceum-Northwestern University here on July while classes were going on was confirmed to be a notorious hired killer.

Police Provincial Director Sr. Superintendent Isagani Nerez said the suspect, Edwin Racho, alias Edwin Bisaya and Tisoy, 37 of barangay San Isidro, Binmaley, was tagged as the principal suspect in the killing of several persons in Dagupan and Pangasinan for a fee.

He said many of the recent killings that happened in Dagupan, Mangaldan, San Jacinto and Manaoag were attributed to Racho.
Nerez lamented that although many killings were solved with the death of Racho, there may now be difficult finding the masterminds.

Nerez said Racho was even being blamed for the slaying of a top lady executive of the Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative, Sandra Frias, on the night of June 11, and of a lawyer from San Carlos City a year ago.

The police identified Racho as the leader of the dreaded Waray-Waray Bisaya Group operating in Pangsinan.

Proofs that Racho was really a hired killer were bolstered by photos of his previous and present targets, including a list of his incoming victims and plans and sketches of places that were written in a piece of paper found in his wallet.

Racho’s last victim was Sonny L. Jona whom he shot and killed at 9 p.m. on July 6 at the Magsaysay Fish Market in Dagupan.

It was at the Magsaysay Fish Market where Racho was arrested by joint operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Provincial Investigation Branch of the Police Provincial Office in the morning of July 9.

While he was under tactical interrogation at the CIDG office at the Dagupan People’s Astrodome, the suspect suddenly grabbed the service firearm of SPO2 Marcelino Dizon, then used this in his escape.

Racho entered LNU compound by climbing a low concrete wall with policemen in hot pursuit. He was cornered by the lawmen inside the male comfort room of Le Florence Building, High School Department.

Instead of surrendering when told to give up, he fired at the approaching policemen, prompting the latter to return the fire.

After the gunfight, he was rushed to the Lyceum General Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. (PNA)