The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) vowed to leave no stone unturned as the agency seeks for justice following the death of PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga in an ambush Thursday.
In a statement, the PCSO condemned the attack that has also left Barayuga’s driver, Jojo Gunao wounded.
“With sadness, PCSO extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family of Atty. Wesley A. Barayuga, our colleague, friend and family. His untimely demise is a loss to PCSO,” the statement read.
“His selfless dedication to public service will always be remembered. PCSO will not stop and leave any stone unturned in its quest for justice on this tragic event. May he rest in peace,” it added.
Mandaluyong Police chief Col. Hector Grijaldo Jr said Barayuga and Gunao had just left the PCSO Headquarters on Shaw Boulevard onboard a white pickup and was cruising Calbayog Street in Barangay Highway Hills when a lone motorcycle-riding gunman suddenly appeared and fired at the vehicle at about 3:30 p.m. The gunman sped towards the direction of D.M. Guevarra Street.
Grijaldo said Barayuga, who was seated on the passenger’s side, was hit on the back of his head and died on the spot. Gunao, on the other hand, Gunao sustained a gunshot wound in the body.
Four spent shells of a .45-caliber bullet were recovered at the crime scene.
The security office of the PCSO is now coordinating with the authorities to immediately identify those behind the ambush “so that justice will be served.”
Barayuga is the second government official killed by motorcycle-riding assailants in the metropolis in just a week.
On Monday, two unidentified gunmen onboard a motorcycle shot and killed National Center for Mental Health chief Roland Cortez along Tandang Sora Avenue in Quezon City.
The attack came hours before President Duterte delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives.
Read more: PCSO official shot dead by motorcycle-riding gunman in Mandaluyong