Lamppost scam lawyer killed

MANILA, Philippines – A lawyer who represented a Cebu mayor allegedly involved in a multimillion-peso lamppost scandal was killed in an ambush by three unidentified men in Cebu yesterday morning.

Police said Richard Sison suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the head and body and died on the way to the Chong Hua Hospital.

Initial investigation showed that Sison, who was in his Toyota Hi-Lux pickup with license plate GKP-376, stopped for a red light at the corner of M.J. Cuenco Avenue and V. Sotto street. Cebu.

Witnesses said the suspects, who were on board a blue motorcycle without plate number, suddenly opened fire.

Joint elements of the Mobile Patrol Group, Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) are now conducting manhunt operations.

Reports had it that Sison was the legal counsel of Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza, who was implicated in the scam of lampposts that were installed along major thoroughfares in Cebu as part of beautification of the province for the ASEAN summit held in January 2007. – Nikki Angulo, Ana Mae Roa