Authorities are investigating the death of senior National Bureau of Investigation official—Raul Manguerra, head of the Counter Terrorism Division—who died of a lone gunshot wound in the abdomen early Tuesday morning.
NBI Director Eric Distor said: “We mourn his passing. He is one of our decorated CTD operatives who was instrumental in the capture of 39 Abu Sayyaf members and led his men in preventing attempted terror attacks in the country.”
Initial report suggested Manguerra was alone inside his office when he was shot Monday night. He was rushed to a hospital but he was pronounced dead while undergoing treatment.
The flag at the NBI headquarters along Taft Avenue in Ermita, Manila is at half staff.
NBI spokesperson Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin told reporters: "The NBI is in a deep state of mourning…We condole with the family, relatives and friends of Chief Manguerra."
A police report said Manguerra's live-in partner Maria Rosario Bernardo received a phone call from the NBI's counter-terrorism division informing her the NBI official was rushed to the nearby Manila Doctors Hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound, but was pronounced dead on arrival two minutes past midnight.
The report identified those who rushed Manguerra to the hospital as one "Bert," the victim's driver, and "Dads," a casual employee at NBI.
NBI Director Distor has ordered a thorough investigation into Manguerra's death and has locked down the premises of the bureau.