Reply #2: more from from a better source, the Philippine Daily Inquirer: [View All]

FILIPINO radio listeners witnessed a bizarre drama on Saturday when GMA Network radio dzBB carried a live interview with an armed ex-aviation chief as he was shot dead by police after seizing the Manila airport control tower.

"We are being murdered here, my friend. I surrender! I surrender!" former Air Transportation Office (ATO) chief Panfilo Villaruel screamed in a telephone call to the station as a police assault squad broke down the door atop the tower.

A short burst of gunfire was heard, followed by labored breathing. Then there was only silence.

(...)

Villaruel said the government had "killed my program" to develop the Defiant 300, a small plane with wooden components, as well as the Hummingbird, a small helicopter.

"When I left the government they disassembled it," Villaruel said. "Had we persevered, we would not be groveling before the Americans for obsolete Hueys (Bell UH-1H helicopters)."

(...)

Villaruel's ex-boss, Ramos' transportation secretary Josephine Lichauco, said the former government official was "very patriotic" but was "in despair" because of what he perceived as lack of government support for his initiatives.

"I can't imagine how he can be killed like that."

Villaruel said the control tower was built in 1994 during his term. "It was named after me and it would be fitting if I died here."


http://www.inq7.net/brk/2003/nov/08/brkpol_14-1.htm