2 female Customs officers hurt in Makati ambush

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MANILA, Philippines — Two female officers of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) were injured after four unidentified armed men on board a car shot them in Makati on Friday evening.

In a report by Police Maj. Gideon Ines, Makati police Criminal Investigation Division chief, the victims were identified as Maricon Manalo, 56, officer-in-charge at the Formal Entry Division at BOC’s Port of Manila; and Marietta Lasac, 60, Principal Appraiser at the Formal Entry Division at BOC’s Port of Manila.

Initial investigation showed that the victims had just finished work and were on their way home on board their vehicle when four armed men on board a car suddenly blocked their path along Lapu-Lapu Avenue near the corner of Victoria Street in Barangay Magallanes.

The armed men alighted from their vehicle and smashed the glass window of the victims’ car and ordered them to get out.

Surprised by the attack, Manalo put the car on reverse and tried to get away but the armed men opened fire.

The four men escaped after Manalo sustained a gunshot wound in her left finger while Lasac had gunshot wounds in her body.

The victims sought assistance from authorities stationed at a nearby barangay outpost. They were taken to the Makati Medical Center for medical assistance.

Recovered from the crime scene were seven empty shells and four fired bullets.

Both victims are now in stable condition while investigators will coordinate with BOC’s Intelligence Division for further investigation. /jpv