BOC executive survives gun attack

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga , Philippines  – The officer-in-charge of the clearance department of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in this freeport sustained two gunshot wounds but survived an attack here last Friday night, police said.

Senior Superintendent Nicanor Targa, chief of the security and fire department of the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), said Elizardo Cabilao, whose office is in charge of approving the release of imported shipments, was standing outside the BOC building here when a motorcycle-riding man wearing short pants fired at him twice, grazing his neck and hitting an arm.

Targa said the gunman apparently used a caliber .45 pistol with a silencer.

Outsiders who witnessed the shooting said no one immediately helped Cabilao as he fell bloodied on the pavement.

Targa confirmed this, saying that CDC security personnel were the first to assist the Customs official 10 minutes later.

A check with the police showed that Cabilao was once beaten up in Barangay Dau, Mabalacat town.

Reports said Cabilao has had conflicts with some Customs people as well as those transacting business with his office.

“There seemed to have been no commotion at the BOC after the shooting, as if nothing happened,” Targa said. No one from the BOC here was available for interview.

He said apparently, the motorcycle used by the gunman was still in the freeport and that he used another motorcycle with an accomplice to get out.

Security checks at the Clark gates were tightened following the shooting.   – Ding Cervantes