Uncle of Lacuna shot dead near Mabini bar

An uncle of Manila Vice Mayor-elect Danilo Lacuna was killed in an Ermita bar early yesterday morning after he was shot by two unidentified men, the police said.

Reports reaching the homicide section of the Western Police District identified the victim as Benjamin Lacuna, 52, a security escort and resident of 25 Interior Kagitingan St., Luzon, Malabon.

Investigation showed that the victim was drinking inside the Hugs Music Lounge and Restaurant along A. Mabini street at about 12:10 a.m. when the two still unidentified suspects entered and sat at a table near him.

According to investigators, the victim and the suspects apparently exchanged "bad" stares. After finishing his beer, Lacuna went out of the bar.

Police said Lacuna was about to start his car, which was parked outside when the suspects followed him. One of the suspects, identified only as a certain Jojo, allegedly a caretaker of the Gold Asian money changing shop, placed his foot on the bumper of the victim’s car to prevent him from driving off.

This reportedly irked the victim who got off the car and confronted the drunken suspects. During the altercation, the other suspect allegedly took out a gun and shot the victim at close range. Lacuna died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds.

The suspects then continued firing as they made their escape on foot. The gunfire led to the wounding of two of the pub’s guest relations officers identified as Elvira Bulawin, 20, and Raquel Borbusia, 25; who were shot in the legs. They were rushed to the Ospital ng Maynila for treatment. Police are still tracking down the two suspects. – Mike Frialde<