http://news.inq7.net/metro/index.php...&story_id=9737

Expressway guards shot; 1 killed
Updated 11:28pm (Mla time) Sept 08, 2004
By Edson Castro Tandoc Jr.
Inquirer News Service

THEY were just doing their jobs.

A security guard was shot dead while a fellow watchman was seriously wounded after two car-riding men opened fire at them near the toll plaza at the North Luzon Expressway early Wednesday morning.

Reynaldo Cortez, 45, union president of the Philippine National Construction Company security guards, died of several gunshot wounds in the body.

Truck flagged down

His fellow guard Benjamin Dabu, 47, is undergoing treatment, police said on Wednesday.

The two guards flagged down a cargo truck on the northbound lane of the expressway about 2 a.m. for alleged overloading.

But just as the they were about to detach the truck's plates, a red Pajero suddenly stopped in front of the truck.

Two men got out of the Pajero and started shooting Cortez and Dabu using still unknown types of handguns.

Although wounded, Dabu managed to run and jump on a passing bus.

Cortez was left behind lying on the pavement.

The gunmen then reportedly walked up to him and shot him repeatedly.

One of the suspect then reportedly yelled "Sino pa? Sino pa?" said another guard, Juanito Cobardo, 51.

Cobardo told the police that the gunmen did not see him because he was urinating nearby when they struck.

Dead on arrival

Cortez was already dead when he was brought to the Manila Central University Hospital.

Caloocan City police chief Leo Garra said the killers were apparently escorting the cargo truck.

Garra said it was possible the truck contained hot items and the killers panicked when the security guards began inspecting the cargo.

Both the truck and Pajero then drove off.