Ex-Iloilo City top cop shot dead

The board secretary of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and former Iloilo City police director was shot dead in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila Thursday afternoon.

Reports by GMA News said that retired police chief superintendent Wesley Barayuga was shot at the corner of Calbayog and Malinaw Street by a motorcycle-riding suspect.

Barayuga, who was also a lawyer, served as Iloilo City police director from 2006 to 2008 and was also a former police provincial director of Antique.

Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo, Mandaluyong police chief, said Barayuga was about to go home when gunned down.

“Kakatapos lang yata mag-trabaho o galing sa opisina, on the way na siguro itong pauwi, eh, nagkaroon ng ano- sinundan siguro ng suspect natin,” Grijaldo said.

CCTV footage showed that the suspect went beside the government car carrying the victim and shot him through the passenger side.

“May isa pong kotse na medyo slow down po siya kasi intersection sa unahin tapos biglang tinabihan po to ng suspect at tinira sa passenger side po,” Grijaldo said.

The victim’s driver was also shot. He has been brought to a hospital for treatment.

“Ito pong biktima natin nasa passenger side. May driver po siya. Ngayon na-evac na po natin, papuntang hospital. Hindi pa po natin [alam] kung ano ‘yung sitwasyon nung driver,” Grijaldo said.

“Pero nung inalis po namin dito sa crime scene buhay pa naman po,” he added.

Police are looking into an old grudge and Barayuga’s work as PCSO board secretary as among possible motives behind the attack.

Grijaldo said they have not received any report saying Barayuga had a death threat.

In 2013, Barayuga held a general position in Camp Crame as an executive officer for the Directorate for Logistics. He served as Board Secretary of PCSO, which is now led by PCSO General Manager Royina Garma. (With reports from GMA News and Inquirer.net)