Cop killed in ambush

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – A police officer was killed in an ambush in Lemery, Batangas yesterday.

Senior Police Officer 1 Bernard Mendoza was driving his motorcycle on his way to work when motorcycle-riding men waylaid him along Barangay Mahabang Dahilig Road around 9 a.m.

Mendoza suffered multiple gunshots in the head and body. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Batangas Provincial Hospital.

Witnesses said the assailants fled toward Barangay Diokno Highway.

Chief Inspector Dwight Fonte, Lemery police chief, said they are investigating if the killing was work-related.

Fonte said investigators are checking footage taken by closed-circuit television cameras in the area to identify the assailant.

Three bullet shells for a .45 caliber pistol were recovered at the scene.