Manila traffic exec shot dead; corruption eyed

MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau was shot dead by an unidentified assailant inside the MTPB satellite office at the Parola Compound in Binondo on Wednesday.

The killing of Tranquilino Vuelga, 61, head of the MTPB Task Force, could be related to corruption, according to MTPB chief Dennis Alcoreza.

Investigation showed that Vuelga was resting in his office when the gunman, who was wearing a mask, arrived at around 11:30 a.m.

MTPB employee Rizal Catalogo tried to stop the man from entering. But the suspect immediately pulled out a handgun and fired at Vuelga.

The victim died from gunshots to the head.

Vuelga was appointed to the MTPB post on Feb. 15.

Senior Inspector Romel Anicete, chief of the Manila Police District homicide unit, said the assailant was captured on closed-circuit television footage.

“The gunman was identified by MTPB employees after he removed his cap,” Anicete said.

Vuelga was the second MTPB employee killed by unidentified assailants.

In October last year, Arnel Celis was about to park his motorcycle in front of his house along Inocencio street in Tondo when two men on a motorcycle opened fire at him.

Celis died from three gunshots to the body at the Mary Johnston Hospital.

Alcoreza said the suspects in the killings of Vuelga and Celis were former employees of the Manila Tricycle Regulatory Office who were sacked for collecting grease money from tricycle operators and drivers last year.

“They were mad because we stopped and exposed their racket. They were trying to get even,” Alcoreza said.

Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects.

Anicete refused to identify the suspects pending results of the investigation.