The Land Transportation Office (LTO) “condemned in the strongest terms” the killing of one of its officials, calling it a “cowardly act.”
LTO on Saturday confirmed the identity of the victim as Mercedita Gutierrez, chief of the Registration Section of the LTO Central Office.
Gutierez was the woman earlier reported to be wearing an LTO ID shot dead inside her van.
According to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), an unidentified gunman on board a motorcycle shot Gutierez near the corner of K-H Street near Kamias Road, Brgy. Pinyahan, Quezon City on Friday night.
“The victim, who sustained wounds, was immediately brought to East Avenue Medical Center for treatment but was declared dead by the attending physician,” said QCPD in its initial report.
“This is a cowardly act and we assure her family and the public of our untiring efforts to coordinate with the Philippine National Police and closely monitor the investigation of this incident to bring all the perpetrators of this crime behind bars,” Mendoza said.
“On behalf of the men and women of the LTO, I extend my sincerest condolences to her loved ones, and likewise join them in seeking justice for this dastardly act,” he added.
QCPD, meanwhile, has created a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to conduct a thorough investigation into the shooting incident.
“Our prayers and sympathy to the bereaved family of the victim. The QCPD will not stop pursuing the suspect and we will make sure that justice will be served,” said QCPD Director PBGen. Redrico Maranan in a separate statement. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
