NBI counter-terrorism chief dead in mysterious shooting inside office

MANILA, Philippines — The head of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Counter-Terrorism Division was found suffering from a gunshot wound inside his office in Manila on Monday night and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, authorities said Tuesday.

Manila Police District Homicide Department identified the victim as Raoul Manguerra, 49.

Police said Manguerra, who was inside the NBI-CTD office along Taft Avenue, Ermita at 11:39 p.m., sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Manguerra was rushed to the hospital after his driver, a certain “Bert,” and a casual employee known only as “Dads,” heard a gunshot inside the victim’s office.

In a phone interview, MPD Homicide chief Police Captain Henry Navarro said they could not elaborate on how the victim was shot because the NBI was doing its internal investigation.

“Nung nagpunta kami sa NBI hindi kami pinapasok kasi they are doing their internal investigation. They are allowed naman,” he said.

(NBI did not allow us to enter premises because they are doing their own investigation.)

“Whatever reason, kung ano nangyari kung suicide ba ‘yan, nag-accidental firing o binaril ba ‘yan, wala pa kaming alam,” he added.

(We do not know whether the incident is a suicide, accidental firing or shooting incident. We have no knowledge about it.)

Navarro also explained that the victim’s family members “opted to let the NBI do the investigation.”

Meanwhile, the NBI said it mourns with the family of Manguerra. The agency also ordered an investigation and ordered a lockdown in the NBI office.

“The NBI is in a deep state of mourning. We condole with the family, relatives and friends of Chief Manguerra,” NBI spokesman Ferdinand Lavin said in a statement.

“The Director has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, including a lockdown on the NBI premises immediately after the incident,” he added.

Lavin said they have yet to provide a final report of the incident. [ac]