Another breach in BF Homes security; Home of banker Aguirre attacked–3 dead

Sunday, 08 April, 2012

Written by Ferdinand Fabella

GUNMEN stormed the residence of Banco Filipino owner Albert “Bobby” Aguirre in Las Piñas City late Saturday, killing three of his security escorts in an attack that police said could have been the work of professional hitmen.

The three—David Manguerra, retired policeman Melvin Padacan, and Police Officer 3 Luisito Macatunao—were all shot in the head, the Southern Police District said Sunday.

Macatunao was a member of the Police Security Protection Group, a unit of the National Police  that provides security to top government officials, diplomats, and personalities who have been receiving death threats.

Police said the security men were found dead inside Aguirre’s house along Pablo Roman Tropical Avenue on BF International Village. The gunmen left behind a motorcycle, they said.

Southern Police District chief Romulo Sapitula refused to say if Aguirre or any member of his family was present when the armed men broke into the compound.

He ruled out robbery as a motive because nothing had been taken. There were indications that the victims knew their attackers, he said.

“There were no signs of forced entry,” Sapitula said.

“It is hard to speculate on the possible motive this early.”

The Bangko Sentral placed Aguirre’s Banco Filipino under receivership on March 17, 2011 after declaring it insolvent. It said the bank’s liabilities amounted to P23 billion.

(Published in the Manila Standard Today newspaper on /2012/April/09)