Minority calls for House probe on killings of 2 gov’t execs
Scene of the crime operatives examine the Toyota Innova where BIR Regional Director Jonas Amora was shot dead by gunmen at the corner of Major Santos Dizon Street and Katipunan (C5) Avenue in Quezon City on Nov. 21. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA/PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER
The minority bloc in the House of Representatives has called for an inquiry in aid of legislation on the deaths of Bureau of Customs Deputy Commissioner Arturo Lachica and Bureau of Internal Revenue-Makati City Director Jonas Amora.
In a press conference on Wednesday, minority leader Quezon Rep. Danny Suarez said he knew Amora personally as a “good performing officer of the bureau.”
READ: Slain BIR-Makati head was a ‘top-notch tax collector’
Suarez said Amora made Makati one of the best performing cities in terms of revenue collection, while Lachica was known for his tough stance on smuggling.
READ: Customs deputy commissioner Lachica killed in Manila ambush
“We extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of Lachica and Amora … The minority denounces these killings,” Suarez said.
He also called on President Rodrigo Duterte to denounce the killings of the two government officials known for their tough stance against corruption.
“We call on the President to categorically condemn violence against all government officials,” Suarez said.
“The BIR and BOC recognize the two slain officials as notable good public servants with untainted and distinguished reputation and without known enemies … Is this how we recognize their value to government? Is this how we reward public officers who maintain their integrity in the notoriously corrupt agencies?” Suarez added.
READ: Top BIR-Makati exec shot dead in QC ambush
Suarez said the minority would be filing a resolution urging the House of Representatives to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the killings.
“The minority will be filing a resolution for the investigation of the deaths of these high-ranking finance officials, and the possible relation of these tragic events to the performance of their duties,” Suarez said.
Lachica was shot by a motorcycle-riding man while his car was traveling along España Boulevard and declared dead on arrival by physicians at United Doctors Medical Center on Nov. 17.
Four days later, or on Nov. 21, BIR Regional Director Amora was ambushed by a riding tandem along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City. Amora was described as a top-notch tax collector in Makati City.
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