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Niall Fraser

Macau security chiefs last night vowed to tackle triad infiltration of the police force, hours after a constable was shot dead in a central Macau traffic jam.

 It was the second slaying of a government officer this week, coming less than 48 hours after the enclave's No 3 gambling inspector was gunned down in the same area.

 Legislators and security chiefs discussed the killings during a routine top-level meeting at the palace of the Governor, General Vasco Rocha Vieira, and pledged to 'do everything in their power' to crush triad violence.

 Marine police officer Chu Ion-kao was driving his wife and four-year-old daughter to kindergarten when a gunman stepped up to his side window at 8.50 am and fired five shots from a revolver.

 Chu, 36, with bullet wounds in his neck, chest, shoulder and arm, was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

 His wife and daughters - one of whom, aged nine, was at school during the commotion - were said to be in shock.

 The murder comes less than a month before a visit by Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres and has increased pressure on officials to stop the wave of violence.

 Chu, who had taken a day's sick leave, was killed less than 100 metres from where Gambling Inspector Francisco Xavier Pinto do Amaral was shot dead on Tuesday, in sight of Security Forces headquarters.

 Police say it is too early to link the killings but descriptions of Chu's assailant bore similarities to Amaral's and in both cases the gunman fled in the same direction.

 However, Chu's killer wore glasses and used a revolver as opposed to the Chinese military-issue 7.62mm Black Star pistol used to kill 45-year-old Amaral.

 The murders have sparked fears among legislators that violence linked to organised crime could affect Macau's smooth transition to Chinese rule in 19 months.

 Investigators are asking how Chu, on a monthly salary of $12,000, was able to own a top-of-the-range Toyota Camry and order a BMW. His wife also owned a car.

 He had an unblemished 14-year career, but had reached only the rank of first-class constable, one step up from his starting position.

 The Governor refused to comment but an official statement issued after the security meeting said strenuous efforts would be made to enhance co-operation between the police and judiciary to 'maintain internal security'.

 There would be more co-operation between Macanese, mainland and Hong Kong authorities to tackle triad crime, especially in illegal immigration.

 Outspoken legislator Antonio Ng Kuok-cheong questioned this resolve.

 'This situation is not just a burden for the existing administration but also for the future SAR,' he said.



Macau pledges to crush triads