CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Philippines – The director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) was shot and seriously wounded by two unidentified men here yesterday morning.
The attack on Renato Lara Brion, 60, occurred in front of his office in Barangay Parian at around 7:30 a.m., according to Superintendent Chitadel Gaoiran, spokesperson for the Calabarzon police.
President Aquino offered P2 million for any information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators.
Brion was listed in critical condition at the Calamba Medical Center, where he was taken for treatment of gunshot wounds in the head, neck and hip.
The victim had just stepped out of his Toyota Innova (SLC-963) and was about to enter the Andeson Building where he was holding office when he was shot.
Brion’s wife, who was with him in the car, and driver Medel Saturno were not harmed by the assailants, who fled on a motorcycle.
Probers recovered three empty bullet shells for a 9mm pistol and another one for a .45 caliber handgun from the crime scene.
Witnesses said one of the armed men was wearing a white T-shirt and a yellow helmet. The other one served as lookout.
Authorities said the assailants may be members of a group engaged in contract killing.
Calabarzon police director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano created a special investigation task group to handle Brion’s case.
The task group will be headed by Laguna police director Senior Superintendent Florendo Saligao and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 4A chief Superintendent Arthur Bisnar.
Probers will review video footage taken by closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed near the crime scene for possible identification of the suspects.
Police are eyeing work and personal matters as possible motives for the attack.
Last Wednesday, Brion served the suspension order imposed on the mayor and vice mayor of Tayabas in Quezon. – With Arnell Ozaeta