Ex-EIIB agent shot dead by former cop

A former agent of the defunct Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (EIIB) was shot dead, while his son was seriously wounded in a shooting incident in Tondo, Manila last Monday evening.

Dead on arrival at the Mary Johnston Hospital was Eduardo Umlas, 59, while his son Russel, 29, is now under observation at the same hospital.

Officer-on-case PO3 Carlos Santos said the elder Umlas sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the head and body. Doctors have given his son a slim chance of survival for gunshot wounds in the face and neck.

Meanwhile, police have launched a manhunt against the alleged shooter, dismissed Police Officer 2 Jeffrey Santos.

The 27-year-old suspect, formerly assigned at the Manila Police District, reportedly went into hiding after the incident.

Investigators said the shooting was possibly precipitated by a long-standing grudge between the suspect and the victims arising from the filing of criminal and administrative cases against the policeman by the elder Umlas.

Witnesses said that at around 6:15 p.m. last Monday, the two victims and the cop crossed paths along Franco street in Tondo.

The suspect allegedly pulled out a gun and repeatedly shot the elder Umlas.

The son tried to grab the gun from the suspect, but he too was shot.

Charges of murder and frustrated murder are now being readied against the suspect. – Nestor Etolle