Negros Occidental govt consultant shot dead
BACOLOD CITY: A consultant of the provincial government of Negros Occidental was shot dead as he was about to board his vehicle in front of his office Negros Occidental on Monday night.
Declared dead at the San Carlos City Hospital was Mariano Antonio “Marton” Cui 3rd, consultant for hospital operations of the provincial government.
San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo confirmed the death of Cui to The Manila Times.
Cui sustained gunshot wounds on his chest following the shooting at the Emerald Building, Barangay Palampas, San Carlos City, at 8 p.m. on Monday.
Police Senior Master Sgt. Joel Manayon, San Carlos City Police Station chief, said the suspects fled on board an unidentified vehicle towards neighboring Calatrava town.
Supporters outside the hospital were seen crying while some expressed their grief over the death of Cui on Facebook.
Police Lt. Ruby Aurita, San Carlos City deputy police chief, said that one of Cui’s bodyguards was able to return fire against the unidentified perpetrators after the victim suddenly fell and complained about the pain he felt after being hit.
Aurita said the suspects might have waited for the victim to come out of his office.
Police launched pursuit operations but failed to capture the perpetrators.
Investigators are checking a copy of the closed circuit television (CCTV) camera at the building.
Aurita said no motive for the killing has been established
Cui is former chief of staff of former congressman Julio Ledesma 4th in the province’s 1st district before he was named as consultant at the Capitol.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, in a statement, said he was “deeply saddened and shocked by the murder of a dear friend Marton Cui” whom he described as a “fine gentleman and a mild mannered individual. I cannot understand why someone would do him harm.”
“Marton, a loyal and trusted man of former Cong. Jules Ledesma, was a pillar of strength for our political group in the first district. He preferred to work behind the scene, not wanting any credit for himself. I really hope that unlike similar incidents in the past, the triggerman, the mastermind and the reason why this was done, can be established. Again, my deepest and sympathies and condolences to the family of Marton, Rest In Peace, my friend,” he said.
Lacson said that the family of Cui led by his younger Mark, a councilor of San Carlos City, will be requesting the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the incident.