Laguna governor’s security aide gunned down

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna — A security aide of Laguna Gov. Teresita "Ningning" Lazaro was gunned down by a co-worker in Bay, Laguna yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Luisito de Leon, Laguna police director, identified the victim as Bonifacio Villagracia, 29, assigned at the motorcycle unit of the Laguna Traffic Management Office (LTMO).

De Leon said Villagracia was about to step out of his house in Barangay San Isidro when the gunman shot him at around 7:15 a.m.

The gunman, identified as Rolando Soriano Dinco, was Villagracia’s co-worker at the LTMO. He fled after the shooting incident.

Chris Sanji, the provincial information officer, said Lazaro was saddened by the incident. Murder charges have been filed before the prosecutor’s office in Bay.

Probers said professional jealousy is being eyed as the motive for the crime.

Initially, De Leon, in an interview with reporters, denied that the victim was a security escort of the governor. Sanji, however, confirmed that Villagracia was assigned as the governor’s escort.— Arnell Ozaeta