State auditor shot dead in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Motorcycle-riding gunmen shot dead a lady state auditor in this city on Thursday night.

City police director Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro identified the victim as Ester Pierra-Galaroza, 54, State Auditor III assigned with Isabela City, Basilan and the Basilan State College.

Casimiro said the victim arrived with her companion Renella Avella in the city on Thursday afternoon to get her service vehicle at the regional office.

The victim, also accompanied by her daughter,  was already driving her car when the motorcycle-riding gunmen fired at them at the busy intersection of Governor Camins and Veterans avenues in Sitio Sta. Cruz at around 6:30 p.m.

Galaroza was rushed at the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC), but she died while undergoing treatment. Her daughter and companion were unharmed.

Casimiro said Special Task Group "Katarungan" was immediately activated to speed up the investigation and resolution of the gun slaying of Galaroza, who was the second state auditor killed in a gun attack in this city within a span of six years.

The first state auditor shot dead by motorcycle-riding gunmen was Atty. Vilma Agias in 2007.

Casimiro said the task group has asked the help of the National Bureau of Investigation, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 9 (CIDG), and the Police Regional Office 9 Crime Lab.