Traffic enforcer, motorist dead in SLEX shooting

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna ,Philippines  – A traffic enforcer and a civilian motorist were killed while another traffic enforcer was wounded after unidentified men opened fire at them along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) in Calamba City, Laguna Wednesday night, authorities said yesterday.

Reports reaching Chief Superintendent Gil Meneses, Calabarzon police director, said traffic enforcer Lorenzo Amoncio, 30, was shot in the back and died at the Calamba Medical Center, while his colleague, Dennis Boy Tala, 35, was recuperating from a bullet wound in the shoulder.

Both victims were employees of the Metro Toll Expressway Systems Inc., the operations and management arm of the South Luzon Tollway Corp. which operates SLEX.

Motorist Reynaldo Cabalsa was hit in the head and died on the spot.

Superintendent Joel Pernito, Calamba City police chief, said Amoncio and Tala flagged down Cabalsa for a traffic violation in Barangay Batino.

Pernito said the two traffic enforcers were issuing a traffic ticket when unidentified men armed with M-16 rifles and riding a white Hatchback car opened fire at the victims.

Police said the armed men were apparently after the two enforcers while Cabalsa was just caught in the crossfire.