Deputy LTO chief, business owners shot in Calapan

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — A heated argument over a routine Land Transport Office checkpoint inspection led to the shooting of the LTO assistant district chief in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro and two businessmen, one of whom succumbed to a gunshot wound.

Lt. Col. Roden Fulache, Calapan police chief, said LTO personnel were conducting a routine inspection on Thursday in Barangay Canlubing 1 when they pulled over a motorcycle.

When the driver failed to present his license and the motorcycle’s certificate of registration and official receipt, the LTO personnel decided to impound the vehicle, leading to an argument.

Fulache said the driver pulled out a gun and shot LTO assistant district chief Gerardo Garcia.

Bullets also hit store owner Angeles Marasigan, 85, and motorcycle shop owner Bernaldo Diño Jr. Marasigan succumbed to a gunshot wound while being treated at MMG Hospital in Calapan, where Garcia and Diño are also recuperating.

Fulache said tracking teams are in pursuit of the gunman, identified as Alvin Salazar.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza condemned the shooting and assured Garcia’s family that he would “exert all effort in seeking justice by ensuring that the perpetrator is arrested and placed behind bars.”