PSG man shot dead in act of vengeance

A member of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) on his way to Malacañang was shot dead by a 58-year-old man, who claimed it was in revenge for the murder of his younger brother, yesterday morning along EDSA in Monumento, Caloocan City.

Superintendent Napoleon Cuaton, Station Investigation and Detective Management Bureau (SIDMB) chief, identified the victim as Private First Class Valdimer Mongcal, 31, a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines assigned at the PSG in Malacañang, with postal address in Camp Tinio, Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija.

Mongcal was taken to the nearby MCU Hospital, but was declared dead at 9:04 a.m. the same day by Dr. Ernesto Gonzales.

Suspect Rodrigo Cabaya, a Bantay Bayan deputy executive officer of Barangay San Nicolas, San Luis, Pampanga, was arrested after being beaten up by bystanders.

Cabaya, who sported an ugly gash on the left cheek, claimed he was a member of the local CAFGU, the local civilian militia attached to the AFP.

The suspect told The STAR he killed Mongcal for the murder of his brother Reynaldo, then 49, along McArthur Highway in Baliuag, Bulacan in November last year.

"Gumanti lang ako. Matagal ko nang balak ito," Cabaya said.

He said he was visiting some relatives in Pasay when he chanced upon Mongcal in Monumento.

Recovered from Cabaya was an unlicensed caliber .45 Colt pistol and two magazines loaded with seven bullets each.

Records showed Cabaya followed Mongcal in front of the Big Orange Building along EDSA at around 8:15 a.m. yesterday, whipped out his caliber .45 and fired a single bullet into the PSG man’s right temple.

Cabaya was ganged upon by bystanders who beat him up right after the shooting. He claimed he lost his valuables, including his watch and wallet containing P1,500.

When told he could avail of a bail as the police filed charges of murder before the city prosecutor’s office, the suspect said he is sorry, but added he was ready for the consequences of his act.

"Nagsisisi ako pero nangyari na," said Cabaya, who leaves behind 10 children in Pampanga. Police said they are verifying the suspect’s claims, including the alleged death of his brother. – With Pete Laude, Zsarina Salazar