Caloocan official escapes slay try

One of three still unidentified motorcycle-riding suspects was shot dead by their intended victim, a senior City Hall official, who was driving his car back to office shortly before noon yesterday in Caloocan City.

Alfonso Sta. Maria, chief of the Caloocan City Environmental Sanitation Services (ESS) and the Reformed Department of Public Safety and Traffic Management, was unscathed in the ambush try after shooting it out with the suspects at 11 a.m.

Sta. Maria was behind the wheel of his Nissan X-Trail (XMY-222), with his personal driver Elvin Franco and another companion in the back seat, on his way back to the ESS office on Biglang-Awa street after an inspection sortie, when the attack took place.

City Mayor Enrico Echiverri and Superintendent Napoleon Cuaton, Station Investigation and Detection Management Bureau chief, quickly rushed to the crime scene when informed of the ambush.

The mayor condemned the attempted killing and ordered Caloocan City police chief Senior Superintendent Leo Garra to intensify his efforts in securing the city and double the number of the police personnel manning the streets to ensure the safety of residents.

The mayor also directed the police chief to conduct a thorough investigation to unravel the identities of the perpetrators and their motive.

"Kung nagagawa ito sa mga opisyal ng ating pamahalaang-lungsod ay lalo pa itong magagawa ng mga masasamang loob sa mga ordinaryong mamamayan ng lungsod," Echiverri said.

Ambush

Sta. Maria told The STAR that he had driven about two blocks after stopping to talk with a group of street cleaners in the area, when his driver shouted that they were being shot from behind.

"Pagtingin ko sa side mirror, nakita ko may pumuputok. Nandoon na sila sa aking tagiliran nang bigla kong kinabig ang manibela sa kaliwa na ikinabagsak nila," he recounted.

Sta. Maria said he crouched as the SUV lurched to a halt. He went out of the vehicle on the passenger side.

As he opened the car door, a third man on another motorcycle, thinking they were already dead inside the vehicle, was surprised at seeing him on the other side.

The gunman hesitated before pointing a gun at him.

Taking advantage of the lull, Sta. Maria fired at the suspect with his 9 mm pistol, hitting him several times in the head and body. The fallen gunman’s cohorts sped off and escaped.

Senior Inspector Benigno Asilar Jr. led a team of Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) operatives who processed the scene. He said Sta. Maria’s silver X-Trail sustained 10 bullet holes.

PO3 Melchor Prado said they recovered 11 empty shells from a 9 mm handgun, two empty cartridges from a caliber .45 pistol and a deformed bullet.

Cuaton described one of the gunmen as about 30 to 35 years old, slightly-built, fair-complexioned, wearing maong pants and a white polo shirt.

Also recovered from the scene were the gunman’s handkerchief, sunglasses, a Nokia 7210, P760 in cash and a gray cap.

He said they have yet to establish the motive for the ambush.

Sta. Maria said he has no known enemies and often goes around without a bodyguard.

When he has one with him, he told The STAR, he is unarmed.

Sta. Maria, who barely showed signs he was shaken by the incident, later went to the nearby church of the Parish of Our Lady of Grace to say a prayer of thanks.

When reached again after a while, the official said he was on his way back to City Hall for a meeting.

"Trabaho na ulit," he said.