DILG director shot, wounded critically in Laguna

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 14): DILG director shot, wounded critically in Laguna

CALAMBA CITY - At least two unidentified armed men shot and critically wounded Director Renato Brion of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) CALABARZON shortly after alighting his car in front of DILG CALABARZON office at Anderson Building along a national highway in Barangay (village) Parian, this city Monday morning.

Brion sustained four gunshot wounds - two in the head, one grazed his waist and another bullet grazed the back of his neck .

Initial investigation by Calamba police showed that around 7:40 a.m. Monday, the victim with his wife aboard their service Toyota Innova, with plate number SLC 963 and driven by Medel Ange Saturno, headed to DILG office at Andenson Bldg.

Brion alighted the vehicle, stood near his vehicle and about to enter the said building when the suspects, who were near the area fired several shots to the victim and then fled.

Brion was rushed to nearby Calamba Medical Center at Barangay Crossing, where he underwent an a operation at the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Calamba police immediately responded in the area and continuously conducting Checkpoint/Chokepoint, dragnet operation while units from Police Regional Office 4A with Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) are now conducting operation relative the incident.

Police Regional Office Calabarzon (PRO IV-A) Regional Director Richard A. Albano organized Special Investigation Task Force (SITF) "Brion."

Calamba City Chief of Police Supt. Fernando Ortega said there were at least two suspects who waited for Brion at the parking area of Andenson Building and used caliber 45 and 9 mm pistols in shooting Brion.

Deputy Regional Director for Operations (DRDO) Police Sr. Supt. Romulo Sapitula said in an interview that they would be checking the Close Circuit Television (CCTV) to identify the suspects.

“We have also witnesses who are undergoing interrogation,” Sapitula said. “We asked other eye witnesses to cooperate with Calamba police to resolve immediately the case.” Sapitula added.

DILG Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento proceeded to the hospital and condemned the shooting incident.

Sarmiento said that Brion had been receiving death threats in the past before he assumed as DILG IV-A Regional Director.

” Brion is one of the respected leaders in the Department who is a known expert in the field of local governance. The DILG is deeply saddened by this violent act perpetrated against a loyal and dedicated public servant who is due to retire in the next few months after several years of committed service to the people,” Sarmiento said.

”Rest assured that the DILG will leave no stone unturned until the perpetrators will be brought to justice. We would like to assure our countrymen that the DILG will not be fazed by this challenge and we shall continue to put the interests of our people on top of our priorities,” he said.

Brion, whose family roots are in San Pablo City in this province assumed office as director for DILG IV-A CALABARZON last May 21, 2015 . He also served regional director in Region II, Region III and NCR.

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