DPWH exec critically injured in Pasay ambush
A HIGH ranking official of the Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region (DPWH-NCR) was critically wounded in an ambush perpetrated by riding-in-tandem criminals Monday morning in Pasay City.
Atty. Maria Rochelle Melliza Melendez, 53, of 147 Fortuna St. Brgy. 20, and currently head of the DPWH Right-of-Way Acquisition and Enforcement Division and Legal Division is still under observation at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Adventist Medical Center after undergoing surgery for bullet wounds in the forehead and forearm.
Her driver, Deo Decenia, 42, of Camia St. Malaria, Tala, Caloocan City is reportedly in stable condition. He underwent treatment of gunshot wounds in the left shoulder and left side of his chest.
An initial report received by Southern Police District (SPD) Director P/ BGen. Kirby John Kraft showed that while the victims were on board a white Toyota Hilux driven by Decena, and traversing along Fortuna St. at around 7:56 a.m., riding-in-tandem gunmen came closer to their vehicle and peppered them with bullets.
Decena, though wounded, was able to alight from the vehicle to seek assistance while the suspects, before fleeing towards F.B. Harrison St, threw a piece of paper with written words “Partisano” (Armadong Operatiba ng Partido Marxista-Lennista ng Pilipinas).
A witness, identified as Dave Calixto, rushed the victims to the hospital for medical treatment.
Responding members of the Pasay Police Sub-Station 1 led by P/Capt. John Paul Abangan immediately conducted a follow-up operation. However, they failed to identify and arrest the suspects while operatives of the Investigation and Detective Management Section (IDMS) who conducted an ocular inspection and investigation recovered 15 empty shells from unknown caliber of firearm at the crime scene.
Pasay police chief P/Col. Froilan Uy also ordered a dragnet operations and assembled a tracker team to backtrack the location, entrance and exit points of the motorcycle riding suspects while the motive behind the incident is yet to be determined.
