House security officers shot dead by colleague

Police have readied murder charges against a security officer who shot dead his superior and a colleague during an argument inside the House of Representatives early Friday night.

The suspect, Renato de la Cruz, 52, an ex-Marine, is being held for killing Rosello Ilagan, executive director of the House of Representatives’ Legislative Security Bureau, and administrative officer Gerald Rallos, 34.

House security personnel arrested De la Cruz as he was running away from Ilagan’s office where the shooting happened. A 9 mm pistol believed to be the murder weapon was also recovered. Investigators said they are waiting for results of paraffin tests made on the suspect and of the ballistic tests done on the alleged murder weapon.

Ilagan suffered gunshot wounds in the neck, head and left thigh while Rallos sustained wounds in his left temple, in the back of his head and in the chest. Both Ilagan and Rallos died on the spot. "The victims’ wounds show that (De la Cruz) had the intention to kill the two," said Jaraza, "that’s why we’re charging him with murder."

He said that even if no witness actually saw the suspect shoot the victims, the paraffin and ballistics tests will establish if he had fired the gun.

Senior Police Officer 1 Ramon Fernandez, one of the investigator on case, said De la Cruz had apparently resented the decision of his superior to put him on duty during the Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve celebrations. Dela Cruz confronted Rallos about it. When told that it was all part of his job, Dela Cruz pulled out his service firearm and fired a warning shot, scaring the other employees inside the office.

The suspect ordered the other employees out of the room, said the investigator. On their way out, they met Ilagan, who was rushing in to investigate after hearing the gunfire, and told him what had happened while the Lower House was in session.

"People outside heard several shots fired," said the investigator. For several minutes, nobody dared to enter the room until De la Cruz himself stepped out. His service firearm and its holster were found on one of the tables inside the office.