DOST employee shot dead in Pampanga, says regional exec

An employee of the Department of Science and Technology was shot dead by an unidentified gunman who pretended to be a customer at the victim's sari-sari store in San Fernando, Pampanga.

DOST Central Luzon Regional Director Julius Ceasar Sicat said the incident happened on Wednesday night when Marvin Valdez, a volumetric calibration officer of the DOST-3 regional metrology laboratory, arrived home from his work.

The gunman posed as a customer at Valdez's store and shot three times the unsuspecting victim as he turned to attend to the gunman's request for cigarette, Sicat was quoted as saying in a statement from DOST-3 Public Affairs Office.

One of the bullets hit Valdez's left side, damaging his vital organs. The suspect fled with a motorcycle rider waiting for him, Sicat added.

Valdez's neighbors rushed him to nearby Bulaon Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Authorities are still investigating the incident to determine the identity of the attacker and the motive behind the slay of Valdez, whom his officemates and neighbors describe as "a very friendly, kind, and helpful person."

According to Sicat, Valdez "diligently performed his work with unparalleled integrity, refusing any gift from clients. There were reports that he politely refuse requests for adjustment of tests results by some clients, as per strict policies of the DOST." —LBG, GMA News