Surveyor, aide shot dead at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines - A surveyor and his aide were killed while they were sleeping in the company barracks at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Wednesday night, police said yesterday.

Police Officer 2 Allan Valdez said Gabriel Sernande Jr. died on the spot while his aide, Alvin Gutierrez, died while undergoing treatment at the San Juan de Dios Hospital.

Valdez said the victims were sleeping at the Readycon Field Office with their colleagues James Llantada, 25; Gerry Liwag, 28; and Vergel Ace Sernande, 26, when an unidentified attacker shot Sernande.

Gutierrez was shot after he was awakened by the sound of the gun.

Valdez said the attacker, who freely entered the barracks, may have been a co-worker.

Police said Llantada, Liwag and Sernande will be invited for questioning and undergo a paraffin test.

Also at NAIA, Customs collectors seized $140,000 that Carolina Gozon hid in a can of biscuits when she arrived at NAIA Terminal 1 from the United States Wednesday night. – Aie Balagtas See, Rudy Santos