Caloocan city official slain in ambush

Manila, Philippines -  A Caloocan city government official was killed and his wife wounded when two men ambushed them as they were on their way to work yesterday morning.

Ruben Merrera, 47, officer-in-charge of the North Caloocan City Hall’s environmental sanitation services (ESS), died on the way to the San Lorenzo Hospital (SLH) from gunshot wounds in the head and body, Chief Inspector Ronald Perilla said.

His wife, Hovita Merrera, 49, a dentist at the city health office, was taken to the SLH for initial treatment after a bullet grazed her abdomen. She was later transferred to another hospital.

Mayor Enrico Echiverri condemned the attack on the Merreras and offered a P200,000 reward for any information that would help police catch the gunmen. He also ordered city police chief Senior Superintendent Jude Santos to conduct a thorough investigation of the case.

As of press time yesterday, Santos said they were still trying to determine the motive and the ones responsible for the ambush.

Ruben was driving their white Isuzu Crosswind on the way to the Caloocan City Hall North when they were waylaid along Narra street in Rainbow Village V, Bagumbong at around 10:45 a.m.

Witnesses told police that two men, armed with .45 and .9mm pistols, positioned themselves on the driver’s side of the vehicle and took turns shooting at Ruben as the couple passed by them. Ruben was hit several times.

They said it appeared that the gunmen’s target was only Ruben because they did not bother to shoot at his wife, who was seated in the front passenger seat.

After the shooting, the gunmen walked toward a motorcycle parked a few meters away from the crime scene and fled, taking nothing from the victims.

Al Sta. Maria, Caloocan City ESS head, said his office is cooperating with the police for the immediate resolution of the case.