Ronnie Gamuhan, 43, a former military man, and Oreta’s close-in aide, died at the Tondo Medical Center at around 1 a.m. due to at least three gunshot wounds in the back that went through his left chest.
"Mayor Oreta ordered city police chief Superintendent Moises Guevarra to find the suspect at all possible cost," Bong Padua, Oreta’s public information officer told The STAR.
Gamuhan, a resident of Block 12, Lot 29, Phase 2, Area 3, Barangay Longos, Malabon City, was at the corner of Labahita and Hito streets in Barangay Longos at around 5 p.m. on Thursday when fired upon by a certain Danilo Villanueva, an alleged drug dealer who is also allegedly involved in car theft as well as robbery-holdup cases in the northern part of Metro Manila.
Villanueva, alias Danny Toyo, was with two other men identified only as Edwin and Caloy when he shot the victim.
According to Padua, the suspect has at least six standing warrants of arrest for murder in different courts.
Sources said the suspect often evades arrest as he enjoys the protection of unscrupulous cops and local officials who gain from his illegal activities.
A crack team led by Senior Inspector Roland Mabbun is now hunting down the suspect who is reportedly maintaining a hideout in Barangay Tonsuya.
Padua said Oreta and the Malabon City Hall employees contributed some cash to help the victim’s family pay for the hospital bill.