NBI counter-terrorism chief shot dead at NBI headquarters

An official of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was shot dead inside his own office early Tuesday, the bureau confirmed.

Raoul Manguerra, chief of the counter-terrorism division, died of a gunshot wound past midnight on Tuesday, said NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin.

The bureau has not yet identified a suspect, he said.

NBI Director Eric Distor has ordered an investigation and a lockdown of the bureau premises.

"The NBI is in a deep state of mourning. We condole with the family, relatives and friends of Chief Manguerra," Lavin said in a message to reporters.

Police investigators went to the NBI headquarters on United Nations Avenue but they were barred from entering the premise as NBI investigators were reportedly still conducting their own probe.

NBI Headquarters sa Maynila, naka-lockdown matapos ang insidente ng pamamaril kay NBI Counter-Terrorism head Raul Manguera. | via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/4wotuQC39n

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) December 8, 2020

Manila police said the NBI official was rushed to the Manila Doctors Hospital by his driver and an NBI employee after they heard a gunshot inside his office.

Manguerra had a "gunshot wound in the abdomen" and was declared dead on arrival at 12:02 a.m., police said.

His kin reportedly preferred that the NBI conduct the investigation, according to police. -NB, GMA News