PRESS RELEASE
July 23, 2008
Office of Caloocan City Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri
Ref. Public Information Office
Telefax 3244644

Caloocan City Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri condemned the brutal killing of a city government official yesterday morning and has ordered members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to “dig deeper” and investigate whether there is a political angle involved in the slay.

Echiverri is suspecting that politics may be involved in the killing of Dr. Eufemio Rienoso Jr., 49, officer-in-charge of the Reformed Department of Public Safety and Traffic Management (RDPSTM) in City Hall North, a retired military major, and a resident of North Olympus Subdivision, Caloocan City.

Based on a police report, Rienoso and his men were conducting an operation against ‘colorum’ vehicles when he figured in a hit-and-run by suspect Eulogio Arellano, a known security aid of a local politician, and residing at #203 Saint Pauline Subdivision, Deparo Road, Caloocan City.

The report stated that Rienoso was taking a walk when he was intentionally hit by Arellano board a Vesta Van, (WHU-762) along Deparo Road, near the Deparo Church, Caloocan City between 9:30 and 10:00 in the morning.

Caloocan police chief Supt. William Macavinta, meanwhile has ordered the manhunt operation against the suspect who immediately fled the scene and left the vehicle nearby.

The mayor also urged residents to immediately report the whereabouts of Arellano to the authorities to determine whether the slaying of Rienoso was politically-motivated.

The police meanwhile are conducting follow-up operations against the suspect whom they believe has not gotten far.