DPWH engineer shot dead in Samar

CATARMAN, Northern Samar — A high-ranking official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) here was gunned down in broad daylight yesterday in Bgy. Polangi.

The victim was identified as Victorio de Silva, Chief of the Planning Section of the DPWH.

De Silva, 57, was gunned down while attending a prayer meeting of the Couples for Christ with his wife. He sustained three gunshot wounds in the head and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

The victim’s wife, Elaine, told The STAR that her husband had no known enemies and may have been a victim of mistaken identity.

Assistant District Engineer Sandy Pua agreed with Elaine that De Silva might be mistaken for someone else.

Pua said that he and his wife were also peppered with bullets by unidentified men but they escaped unhurt.

"Torio, as he was fondly called by his peers, was friendly and jolly," and "he had no known enemy," said one of the DPWH employees.

Chief Inspector Eduardo Castillejos, Catarman police chief, immediately ordered a manhunt for the suspect.

Castillejos ordered Police Officer II Russel Calubag, officer-on-case, to vigorously investigate the killing.

Witnesses told the police that prior to the killing, the suspect, who was riding a black Honda motorcycle and wearing a bonnet and dark sunglasses, stopped at a gasoline station before proceeding to the prayer meeting attended by the De Silvas in Bgy. Polangi. He allegedly fled towards Bgy. Cervantes after the shooting.

"As of now we still have no leads in the killing of Engr. De Silva, but we are investigating all angles to determine the motive," Castillejos said, adding that there is a possibility that the suspect was a hired killer.