Customs deputy commissioner Lachica killed in Manila ambush

Deputy commissioner Arturo Lachica of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) was ambushed in Manila on Thursday night, an official of the Manila Police District (MPD) said.

Supt. Aquino Olivar, head of the Sampaloc police station, said Lachica, who was shot while his car was traveling along España Boulevard, was declared dead on arrival by physicians at United Doctors Medical Center.

Olivar said Lachica’s identification was provided to the police by the BOC official’s driver and bodyguard who survived the ambush. They were with Lachica inside a black sedan when a motorcycle-riding man shot them around 6:50 p.m.

The three were driving to Quezon City when waylaid. Lachica was headed home from a conference at the BOC headquarters in Manila.

Olivar said Lachica was seated at the back while the bodyguard was beside the driver. Motive has yet to be established, the police added.

Lachica’s body bore two gunshot wounds in the chest.

But Olivar clarified the official report on Lachica’s injuries would come from the scene of the crime operatives.

The incident was reported to MPD homicide section at 8:50 p.m. Investigators Marlon San Pedro and Dennis Turla are currently on site gathering evidence.