Abalos adviser killed in ambush

MANILA, Philippines –  Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos’ political adviser was shot dead by three attackers who ambushed him while he was waiting for his wife outside an Internet café along Barangka Drive Friday night.

Witnesses told police that Joselito Torres, 46, was seated in the driver’s seat of his Toyota Fortuner, using his cell phone, when one of three men who had been walking on the other side of Barangka Drive suddenly crossed the street and shot Torres twice in the head while the two others served as lookouts. The shooting happened at around 9:45 p.m.

The attackers then boarded a motorcycle parked nearby and fled towards Makati City.

Witnesses said Torres, though injured, was able to maneuver his vehicle but ended up hitting a street lamp.

Torres was initially brought to the Mandaluyong City Medical Center, but was transferred to the University of Sto. Tomas Hospital in Manila, where he was pronounced dead at past midnight yesterday.

‘Politics behind slay’

Abalos said he is convinced that politics is behind Torres’ killing.

Abalos, city police chief Superintendent Armando Bulalin and city public information chief Jimmy Isidro watched footage taken by a surveillance camera along Barangka Drive. The camera caught Torres’ killers roaming around the area before the ambush.

Torres’ attackers “moved casually, (were) normal and they are very professional, which led us to conclude they are hired killers,” Isidro said.

He said the killing may have been timed for Torres’ 47th birthday, which was yesterday. Isidro said the victim was “a very good man” with no known enemies. “Whoever is behind in this killing wants to make a strong statement,” he said.

Abalos condemned the killing and called on law enforcement agencies to help the local police catch Torres’ killers. “We also call on President Aquino to assist us for the immediate resolution of this crime,” he said.

Isidro said Torres’ body was brought to the Funeraria Gospel in Mandaluyong and was set to be transferred yesterday to “Bonifacio corner L. Gonzaga streets in Barangay Hagdang Bato, Libis, Mandaluyong City. There is no schedule for his burial yet.”