Binay’s security chief murdered

Three unidentified men gunned down the chief security officer of Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay inside a convenience store of a gasoline station at The Fort in Global City, Taguig early yesterday morning.

Pablo Glean, who was also the chief of the Makati City government business permit and licensing section, died on the spot from three gunshot wounds in the head and one in the heart.

Binay immediately condemned the killing, saying in a radio interview that he would likely be the next target.

He said that about three weeks ago, Glean sent him intelligence information about the existence of "Task Force Spider" and "Operation Phoenix," which were reportedly two groups tasked to conduct "special operations" in Makati.

"We have all the reason to believe that this assassination was a critical part of those groups’ plans," Binay said.

Aside from Glean, a security guard at the gasoline station located at 32nd Avenue in Global City, identified as Benjur Radam, was also killed in the attack that occurred at around 7:30 a.m.

Glean’s three companions — Socrates Galo, 42; Alheri Gigante, 35; and Felix Santiago — were also hit by stray bullets and brought to the Makati Medical Center for treatment.

Police recovered several spent shells from caliber .45 pistols from the crime scene.

Glean, who is a member of the Taguig Bikers Association, was at the Global City yesterday morning to meet fellow bikers. His group dropped by the Shell Service Team for coffee when attacked by the suspects.

PO3 Dennis Salopagio, case investigator, said that the two gunmen had two other companions who served as look-outs. Clad in shirts and shorts, they commandeered a white taxi cab, with license plate PYN-593, after the shooting and immediately fled.

A former Army soldier, Glean is an active member of the Philippine Guardian Brotherhood Inc. (PGBI).

While probers are still clueless on the motive behind the murder, sources at Camp Crame claimed that the murder may have something to do with the ongoing rift among PGBI members.

"Malayo sa politika ito. Kasi kung politika ito, eh si Mayor Binay na ang itinumba at hindi si siya. (This is far from politics because if this is a political kiling, Mayor Binay would have been the target and not Glean)," a Camp Crame, insider said.

The source also disclosed that there were reports that Glean had to account for a huge amount of money allegedly entrusted to him by anti-Arroyo forces as mobilization fund during the failed Feb. 24 coup d’etat.