Port workers' group leader ambushed in Caloocan

MANILA, Philippines - A leader of a Manila port workers’ group was shot by at least two men on motorcycles in Caloocan City Friday night.

Guillermo Malipot Jr., 59, president of the Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng Pantalan, is being treated at the St. Luke’s Medical Center for at least five bullet wounds in the body.

Senior Superintendent Florendo Quibuyen, Navotas City police chief, said his office received a report at around 6:09 p.m. that a green Mitsubishi Adventure was waylaid at the boundary of Navotas and Caloocan.

“But during our ocular investigation, we found out that the scene of the crime was already at the jurisdiction of Caloocan,” Quibuyen told The STAR.

Quibuyen said the victim was on his way home to Bulacan from the Port of Manila driving his Adventure with union secretary Thelma Carnaje, 55, as passenger, when gunmen shot at the car as Malipot slowed down at a portion of C-3 Road undergoing repair.

One of the gunmen crossed the road, prompting Malipot to stop. The man turned and shot at the victim several times before escaping on a motorcycle driven by an accomplice.

Police recovered shells for a .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene and at least two slugs, one in Malipot’s car and another one taken from the victim’s body.

Senior Police Officer 1 Reynato Pongco said two barangay watchmen witnessed the slay attempt on Malipot and are closely coordinating with the police for the identification and arrest of the gunmen.

Quibuyen said yesterday they will turn over to the Caloocan City police the formal investigation of the case.

Chief Inspector Rodrido Soriano, Caloocan City police investigation chief, said they have already started their own investigation into the case and are in the process of determining the motive for the attempt to kill Malipot.