Customs agent who killed Quezon City cop faces raps

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Police District (MPD) on Sunday filed criminal charges against an intelligence agent of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) who reportedly shot dead a member of the Quezon City police.

Police lodged the complaint for murder against Elizer Layag Mangili, 36, a member of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), before Manila Assistant Prosecutor Mary Grace del Rosario-Saludo.

The death of Executive M/Sgt. Celedonio Caunceran Jr,. 42, has been “considered solved,” according to a report signed by MPD homicide unit chief Lt. Adonis Aguila.

Based on the investigation, Aguila said Mangili fired at Caunceran after the policeman allegedly tried to grab the firearm of another CIIS agent, Jovan Lugtu, at the BOC office in Port Area, Manila on Friday.

Caunceran died of gunshots to the forehead and chest at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, probers said.

Prior to this, MPD director Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco said Caunceran was apprehended for violating the election gun ban as he was seen roaming around the BOC office.

Caunceran was allegedly responsible for a series of shooting incidents that targeted BOC employees in the past months.

Earlier, Quezon City police chief Brig. Gen. Remus Medina said they would conduct a separate investigation into the death of Caunceran.