Task force to probe PCSO official’s killing

MANILA, Philippines — The Eastern Police District (EPD) has activated a special investigation task group (SITG) to look into the killing of a high-ranking official of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) last week.

Col. Hector Grijaldo, Mandaluyong City police chief, said the task group led by EPD deputy director for operations,  Col. Wilson Joseph Lopez, would focus on establishing the identity of the suspects behind the murder of PCSO Board Secretary Wesley Barayuga, a lawyer and former police general.

Barayuga was on his way home from his office in Mandaluyong City around 3:30 p.m. on July 30 when he was shot in his vehicle at the corner of Calbayog and Malinaw Streets. His driver, Jun Gunao, was wounded and rushed to the hospital.

Three suspects

According to the police, they were looking at three suspects: two men on separate motorcycles and the driver of a light brown Honda Civic car who had stopped in front of the victim’s vehicle.

The SITG shall also work with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Scene of the Crime Operatives, Grijaldo said.

Investigators had said they were looking into an old grudge and Barayuga’s work as a board secretary who signed important official PCSO resolutions and documents as possible motives.

In a public post, Mikee Nazal, the victim’s niece, expressed frustration over a report linking her uncle to drugs.

She denied the allegation, saying he was in fact a key witness in an investigation of supposed anomalies at the PCSO.

“It’s not difficult to connect the dots … ” Nazal added.National Capital Region Police Office chief Police Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas earlier claimed that Barayuga had been found to be on the President’s “narcolist.”

But this was refuted by the victim’s classmates at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). “Wesley was never in any list before. Sinas must explain where he got that so-called list,” the PMA Class of 1983 said.

“He was never involved in drugs, not in any period of his entire career. Was that sudden drug issue a smokescreen to cover up the orchestrated murder of a man filled with integrity and honor who worked by the book and conscience?” it added.

Close coordinationIn a statement, the PCSO condemned the attack on Barayuga, adding that its security was closely coordinating with the police to immediately identify the persons behind the attack.

“His untimely demise is a loss to PCSO. 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,” it said.