Manila, June 16 -- Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Monday expressed profound grief and outrage over the fatal shooting of an official of the House of Representatives, calling the attack a brutal and senseless act of violence that must not go unanswered.

Director Mauricio Pulhin, 63, chief of Technical Staff of the House Committee on Ways and Means, was gunned down over the weekend in an incident that has shocked the congressional community and raised concerns over the safety of government personnel.

"I am deeply saddened and outraged by the tragic death of Director Mauricio 'Morrie' Pulhin. This crime must not go unanswered. Justice must prevail," Romualdez said in a statement.

The leader of the House of Representatives described...