Assailants break into Dagupan home of LTFRB chief Guadiz

Over ten armed individuals forcibly entered the house of Teofilo Guadiz III, chairman of the Land and Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), in Dagupan City, the transport official said Thursday.

In a statement, Guadiz said his family was still reeling from the "traumatic incident," which happened on Dec. 13, Wednesday. He said the Guadizes, especially his 91-year-old mother, have been left "deeply unsettled."

"While this incident has shaken our family, I remain committed to my responsibilities at the LTFRB, and I am confident that justice will be served. Updates on the investigation will be provided as they become available," Guadiz said.

The LTFRB chief added, "It seems personal, and the motive remains unclear." He said the "intrusion" appeared to be "more than a routine robbery."

Guadiz reported that three cars and over 10 armed individuals were involved in the incident.

According to Glen Juego's report on Super Radyo dzBB, however, the Dagupan police reported that the crime was carried out by two gunmen who arrived at the Guadiz home in Barangay Pogo Chico onboard two vehicles: a white van and a black sports utility vehicle (SUV).

The Dagupan police received a call about the incident at about noon Wednesday.

The 91-year-old woman and a house helper were inside the house when the perpetrators came, declaring that they would be giving groceries as gifts. When the gate was opened, they suddenly entered the premises.

Saying they were looking for Teofilo "Jojo" Guadiz, the perpetrators searched the rooms and tied up the house helper.

The victims were deemed safe, the dzBB report said. However, the house helper's phone and P1,000 in cash were stolen. The perpetrators fled towards the direction of Barangay Malued and Calasiao in Pangasinan.

Guadiz said that, in his role as LTFRB chair, he is "fully cooperating with authorities to investigate the matter."

The incident happened on the eve of the two-day nationwide strike of transport group PISTON in protest of the Dec. 31 deadline for the consolidation of public utility vehicles (PUV) operators. — Sherilyn Untalan/ VDV, GMA Integrated News