Bello seeks justice for slain DOLE employee

MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Monday called on authorities to immediately arrest the killers of an employee of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

“I condemn in the strongest terms the dastardly killing of labor officer Ellen Dacanay assigned at the Manila field office of the Department,” Bello said in a statement on Monday.

“I appeal to our law enforcement agencies to act immediately to apprehend the perpetrators of the crime,” he added.

Earlier, DZMM reported that Dacanay’s was killed in an ambush along Malvar Street.

READ: DOLE employee killed in Malate ambush

The suspects, who immediately fled the crime scene, remain unidentified.

“It is disturbing that a civilian official was murdered in a cowardly manner akin to executions by hired guns,” he said.

“I join the officialdom of the Labor department in condoling with her family on their tragic loss. We will extend all necessary assistance to the family to serve the ends of justice,” he added.