DENR employee shot dead in Agusan

BAYUGAN CITY, Philippines – Police have launched a manhunt for a suspect in the killing of an employee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) who was shot dead in front of his wife in their home here last Thursday morning.

A certain Jason Arjonas Ninal, 35, was tagged in the killing of Jaime Diez, 45, a tree marker at the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Loreto, Agusan del Sur.

Police said the gunman escaped onboard a motorcycle after shooting Diez while having coffee with his wife.

Investigators said Diez’s attacker, armed with a .45-caliber pistol, barged into his home and shot him at close range.

Diez died from three gunshot wounds at the Bayugan Medical Hospital.

His wife told police that the attacker first aimed the gun at her before shooting her husband.

Ruel Efren, CENRO officer-in-charge of Bayugan City, said Diez had been active in anti-illegal logging operations.

He hinted that Diez’s attacker could be a gun-for-hire.

Police said Ninal was released from jail two weeks ago on charges of car theft. Investigators have yet to establish the motive behind the killing.

DENR regional executive director Leonardo Sibbaluca condemned the killing.