NBI probes counterterror chief’s death

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation is looking into all possible angles in the death of its counterterrorism chief at the NBI headquarters in Manila on Monday night.

At a press briefing yesterday, NBI spokesman Ferdinand Lavin said the bureau is looking at different scenarios in the death of Raoul Manguerra, who succumbed to a gunshot to the abdomen.

Manguerra was rushed to the Manila Doctors Hospital by his driver and an NBI employee but he was declared dead on arrival.

He was not found dead in his office as earlier reported.

Homicide investigators of the Manila Police District said Manguerra was suffering from Stage 3 colon cancer.

Lavin said suicide is one scenario. Others include possible accidental firing either by Manguerra or by another person, or intentional shooting by a suspect.

Reports said Manguerra was working in his office when the shooting happened.

Probers are also looking into the possibility that the victim accidentally fired his gun while pulling out the weapon from the holster.

As counterterrorism chief, Manguerra led NBI operations that resulted in the arrest of Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Metro Manila.