Board member, driver slain in Laguna ambush

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines  – A provincial board member and his bodyguard-driver were killed in an ambush along Bonifacio street in Barangay 7-C in San Pablo City, Laguna Wednesday night.

Reynaldo Paras, 55, died yesterday after undergoing surgery at the San Pablo Medical Center for bullet wounds in different parts of the body. His driver Geovanni Dumaraos, 44, died on the spot.

Police identified one of the alleged gunmen as Eugene Bacoto, 25, of San Luis 1, Dasmariñas, Cavite, who was also wounded when Paras, a former police officer, fired back at the gunmen.

Initial investigation showed that Paras and his driver were about to board his vehicle when three gunmen peppered them with bullets.

Laguna police director Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz said Bacoto is believed to be a member of gun-for-hire syndicate based in Cavite.

Cruz urged witnesses and residents of Barangay 7-C to provide police with information to identify the two other gunmen, who fled on a motorcycle.