CATARMAN, Northern Samar- A lone gunman shot and killed a provincial engineer of the Northern Samar District Engineer Office in the morning of May 12 with police authority still facing a blank wall as to what could be the motive of the killing. Killed was Virgilio Aleria, 54, who was shot in the head and chest by the lone gunman inside the basketball court of the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) this town. The UEP basketball court, which is located at Zone III, is just a walking distance from the residence of the victim which is at Zone II, UEP. His unidentified companion at that time also fled after the incident, witnesses said. Based on the police investigation, the gunman who was wearing short pants, of medium built and long hair, approached the victim from the back and shot him using a 45 caliber at around 6:15 in the morning, hitting him at the chest and head. His body was brought to Saint Peter Funeral Homes. Catarman police chief, Superintendent Jesus Miranda, said that they immediately conducted a manhunt operation against the suspect who fled towards the direction of the national highway using a motorcycle. He also said that they could not say yet as to what could be the motive of the killing of Aleria. “Actually, we are focusing on several angles one of which could be work related,” Miranda said in a phone interview. He declined to elaborate. Aleria was said to be the chairman of the bid and awards committee of the Northern Samar District Engineering Office and maintenance chief of said engineering office. District engineer Angie Opina asked the police authorities to speed up their investigation of Aleria’s killing whom she described to be a “professional colleague.” “We were shocked over his (brutal) death. He was a good worker and a professional colleague as far as I know. We call on the police to conduct an in-depth investigation,” Opina said in a phone interview. Meantime, former congressman Raul Daza also expressed his shock on the killing of Aleria whom he had known for 25 years. “I have personally known Engr. Aleria for about 25 years. An honest, dedicated and principled government engineer, he has suffered two tragic work-related injustices in his brief life- once when he was detained for 7 years without bail for a crime of which he was acquitted and now for losing his life because he refuses to kowtow to corrupt politicians. My heart bleeds for him and his orphans,” Daza said. (TITO TEPACE with report JOEY A. GABIETA)
