Memorial held for ex-Beneco manager

BAGUIO CITY -- A memorial service was held for the late Benguet Electric Coop. general manager Gerardo Verzosa, 64 here at the Beneco compound Thursday even as police sources said he died due to self-inflicted gunshot wound. 
    Verzosa was found shot dead here inside his vehicle at their residential compound early noon on Sept. 16.
    During the memorial Verzosa was extolled for having steered the Beneco into one of the top power firms in the country.
    Verzosa was found slumped inside the car at Barangay Alapang by his son Candido who rushed him to the Pines City Doctor’s Hospital that day.
    Police later received a call from the PCDH around 2:30 p.m. saying the victim was rushed to the hospital.
    Reports said initial police investigation revealed the victim was shot on the left side of his chest.
    Beneco employees said they knew Verzosa as a religious and strong-willed person but could have been depressed following his retirement and after suffering a stroke.
    The body of the victim was brought to the La Paz Memorial Homes in Baguio City that day he died where he was interred overnight.
    A mass was held for the victim on Sept. 17.
    The body was later brought to the Sunset Funeral Services at Barangay Irisan where it was cremated.    
    The late Versoza is survived by his wife Gail and children Candido and Bianca.
    His family requested privacy following his demise.