Slain gov't counsel's pal killed in Ecija

Former Lanao del Norte Rep. Mario Hisuler was ambushed early Monday night by unidentified armed men while visiting the tomb of slain Government Corporate Counsel Jun Valerio in a cemetery in Jaen, Nueva Ecija.

Hisuler was rushed to a hospital but died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Hisuler, a lawyer, was president and chief executive officer of the PNOC Coal Corp. He was the chief of staff of Rep. Ernesto Herrera (Lakas, Bohol) in the Senate from 1989 to 1992.

Herrera received the news of Hisuler's death while he was in Tagbilaran City.

"Mario is irreplaceable as a friend. I condemn this killing. I know the police are doing what they can, but I will personally call on Philippine National Police chief Panfilo Lacson to help ensure that his killers are caught within 48 hours," he said.

Reports reaching Herrera's office said Hisuler was in Jaen for the traditional 40th day prayers for Valerio, who was killed last March 18 while going inside his house in Barangay Piñahan, Quezon City.

Hisuler was with Valerio's widow Mila, Immigration Deputy Commissioner Fortu Pugoon, lawyers Crisolito Dionido and Rodolfo Waga, and three of the lawyer's bodyguards when he was shot near the grave of his former law office partner.

According to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Hisuler sustained several gunshot wounds on the right side of his body. He died after losing too much blood, personnel of the Nueva Ecija Doctor's Hospital said.

His killers reportedly waited for him at the tomb of Valerio, and that they shot him from an elevated position. Police later recovered 11 empty shells from an M-16 rifle at the scene.

Police and other law enforcement authorities have not been able to catch the killers of Valerio.

The two killings may have been related, Herrera said.

NBI probers said Hisuler's murder only complicated the Valerio case. Hisuler, like all of his law partners, was also being investigated for the death of Valerio.

Sources said the 45-year-old Hisuler provided the lead on the love angle in the Valerio killing.

Hisuler had told probers that Valerio was linked to a married woman identified only as Bennet. He said Bennet's husband could have the motive to kill Valerio.

However, the NBI abandoned such an angle after the couple agreed to cooperate and submit themselves to a lie-detector test. The two passed the test.

"This case is getting more complicated as we progress," said NBI Director Federico Opinion Jr.

Hisuler is survived by his wife Levona and their four-year-old daughter Thea.

His remains will be brought to Manila and will lie at the Funeraria Paz on Araneta Avenue in Quezon City.