Gov Vi's liaison officer killed in ambush

BATANGAS ,Philippines – Two people, including a liaison officer assigned at the provincial governor’s office, were killed in an ambush in Lipa City yesterday morning, police said. 

Senior Superintendent Alberto Supapo, Batangas police director, identified the fatalities as Cesar Guce, 62, executive assistant and liaison of­ficer on police matters in Batangas capitol and his driver Randy Reyes, 34, both residents of Barangay Pinagtung-ulan, San Jose, Batangas. 

Another companion of the victims, Caleb Andal, 17, escaped unscathed during the ambush.

According to report, the victims were on board a Toyota Land Cruiser (XDV-736) heading toward Cuenca town from Lipa City when they were waylaid by three armed men on board a motorcycle, upon reaching JP Laurel Highway, Barangay Banay-Banay in Lipa City around 6:30 a.m.

Witnesses said the victim’s car lost control after they were shot upon and subsequently rammed into a watermelon stall along the highway.

Bystanders immediately rushed the victims to Mary Mediatrix Hospital but later died while being treated at the emergency room. 

The suspects, who were described as wearing helmets, jackets, mask and sunglasses escaped on board a red and black colored motorcycle toward Cuenca town. Recovered from the crime scene were 16 pieces of empty shells from a .45 caliber pistol.

Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto condemned the dastardly act and ordered PNP Provincial Director Alberto Supapo to launch an in-depth investigation on the case.

“I was shocked and I really felt bad on what had happened to Ka Cesar. He’s a good man at wala akong alam na dahilan para sya patayin,” Santos-Recto said. 

Asked if Guce’s job as liaison for police matters could be the reason of his assassination – “I have no idea kung may nasasagasaan sya sa trabaho nya, and knowing him, he’s not the type na nakikialam sa interes ng ibang tao,” Santos-Recto said 

Santos-Recto likewise pledged her support to the family of the victims, “Hindi ko sila pababayaan, gagawin ko ang lahat para mahuli ang mga gumawa sa kanila ng bagay na ito.”

Supapo immediately formed a team called “Special Investigation Guce,” headed by Lipa police chief Superintendent Alexander Mariano, Batangas Police investigation and intelligence branch, Criminal Investigation and Detection Team and the Batangas Highway Patrol Group to handle the case.