Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga was shot dead by a lone assailant riding a motorcycle in Mandaluyong City on Thursday afternoon (July 30).
Mandaluyong Police chief Col. Hector Grajaldo said Barayuga’s driver, Jojo Gunao, was rushed to a nearby hospital after sustaining injuries in the incident.
Grajaldo said Barayuga and Gunao were in a white pickup vehicle when they were fired upon by a motorcycle-riding gunman near Calbayog Street corner Malinao Street in Barangay Highway Hills at around 3:30 p.m.
“A lone suspect onboard a motorcycle drove by and fired shots towards the passenger’s side of the vehicle,” he told the Manila Bulletin. Barayuga was seated on the passenger’s seat.
Grajaldo said Barayuga was hit on the back of his head and was killed instantly.
Four empty shells .45 caliber pistol shells were recovered at the crime scene.
In an initial report, the male shooter was described as wearing a black jacket, maroon shorts, and a red helmet and riding a blue motorcycle speeding towards the direction of D.M. Guevarra Street.
Based on the security footage, Grajaldo said a light brown sedan slowed down in front of the victims’ vehicle as the former neared the intersection.
He added that a motorcycle rider was also seen nearby.
After the shooting, all three vehicles, including the gunman’s, quickly sped away.
The police chief said they have not received a report from the driver of the sedan spotted during the incident.
“We are now investigating why the driver of the car did not report the incident,” Grajaldo said.
“We are also looking into the possibility that the other motorcycle rider might be an accomplice of the gunman,” he added.
Probers are now conducting an investigation.