Security aide of ex-Cagayan vice governor shot dead

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – The security aide of former Cagayan vice governor Melvin Vargas was shot dead by suspects riding-in-tandem in this city on Friday, October 14.

In a police report, Police Superintendent Jessie Tamayao, city police chief of Philippine National Police (PNP)-Tuguegarao, said the victim, identified as Benson Aguisanda Sy, was proclaimed dead on the spot.

Incumbent Cagayan Vice Governor Boy Vargas confirmed to Rappler that Sy, 39 years old, is currently his father’s close-in security guard and that he knows him “personally”.

In their initial investigation, PNP-Tuguegarao said it was around 8 am on Friday when Sy and his family, who were riding a single motorcycle, stopped in front of a store in Caritan Centro, Tuguegarao to chat with his cousin.

After a while, the two suspects riding a motorcycle and wearing helmets stopped near Sy and shot him several times.

His wife also sustained gunshot wounds in her arms while their 3-year-old daughter sustained wounds in her head after falling off the motorcycle.

Police recovered 3 bullet shells of a .45 caliber gun and some live ammunition.

The crime is now being investigated. – Rappler.com