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Manila Bulletin

Philippines

NCMH chief, driver shot dead in QC

Philippines

NCMH chief, driver shot dead in QC

By Joseph Pedrajas

The chief of the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) and his driver were shot dead by motorcycle-riding assailants inside their vehicle in Quezon City Monday (July 27).

National Center for Mental Health chief Dr. Roland Cortez (NCMH)

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said NCMH chief Dr. Roland Cortez, 61, and his driver, Ernesto dela Cruz, 46, died after sustaining several gunshot wounds.

The victims were found inside their vehicle, a red Toyota Vios, at the corner of Cassanova Drive and Tandang Sora Ave. around 7 a.m. Eight fired cartridge cases and two fired bullets of unknown caliber were recovered from the crime scene.

A tricycle driver who witnessed the incident told police that one of the two gunmen alighted from the motorcycle and knocked on the car's right-side window before firing at them.

The suspects then fled towards Commonwealth Ave., the police report added.

The Department of Health (DOH), in a statement, said that it "is shocked and alarmed at the news of the ambush" of Cortez. The department described him as "a respected leader who sought to treat clients with utmost dignity."

"The DOH family extends its deepest condolences to the families of Dr. Roland and Mr. Ernesto and vows to pursue justice for their untimely demise," the DOH added.

The DOH said that they are already coordinating with the investigation unit of the QCPD "to ensure that the perpetrators are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

In 2019, it was reported that Cortez filed a complaint at the Office of the Ombudsman against another NCMH ranking official and 13 others over alleged graft and malversation.

Police are investigating the motive behind the killing.

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