QC mayor’s security deputy for Commonwealth Avenue shot dead

MANILA, Philippines — A local official overseeing peace and order on Commonwealth Avenue was shot dead in an ambush late Tuesday afternoon in Quezon City.

Manuel Buncio, 72, died upon reaching the FEU General Hospital due to several gunshot wounds, public safety chief Elmo San Diego said.

Buncio was the head of Task Force Commonwealth, a unit under the mayor’s office tasked to oversee peace and order and traffic and prevent illegal vending in the area.

Chief Inspector Rodelio Marcelo of the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit said the shooting happened at 4:30 p.m. at the task force outpost near Commonwealth Elementary School.

Buncio was standing in the area when two motorcycles carrying two pairs of gunmen rode up to him and fired shots at him until he fell.

Policemen stationed nearby led by Chief Insp. Ritchie Claravall rushed to the scene and engaged the four gunmen in a firefight, killing one of the gunmen.

Marcelo said the slain gunman was reportedly a barangay watchman.

The three other hitmen were able to escape aboard their motorcycles.