THE head of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) counter-terrorism unit was shot inside his office in the early hours of Tuesday, December 8, 2020, NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin confirmed.

Raoul Manguerra died from a gunshot wound in his abdomen at past 12 a.m. Tuesday.

Police said Manguerra’s driver rushed him to the Manila Doctor’s Hospital, where he was declared dead.

Lavin said the perpetrator has not been identified.

NBI Director Eric Distor immediately ordered the conduct of an investigation and placed the NBI compound under lockdown.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Manguerra’s death is a big loss to the bureau.

Manguerra had caused the arrest of several members of terrorist groups like the Abu Sayyaf.

He said he will wait for the NBI to finish its investigation before making further statements.

“I’d rather that the NBI make a public statement after they have exhaustively examined all possible angles. Baka tonight may linaw na yan,” said Guevarra. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)