Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 2) — The police are tracking down five “persons of interest” behind the shooting that wounded photojournalist Joshua Abiad, six of his relatives, and a bystander in Quezon City last week, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.
“Kausap ko kanina si QCPD (Quezon City Police Department) chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, meron na po silang five persons of interest at kasalukuyan na nila itong fina-follow up, although I cannot give more details so as not to compromise and preempt yung ongoing follow up nila,” PNP spokesperson PCol. Jean Fajardo told reporters in a press briefing held at Camp Crame on Monday.
[Translation: I spoke to QCPD chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III earlier and they have five persons of interest who they are currently following up, although I cannot give more details so as not to compromise and preempt the ongoing follow up.]
She also said the suspects are likely to be members of a “professional gun-for-hire” group, noting that the Toyota Vios used by the attackers had a plate number that belonged to a Honda.
Authorities traced the owner of the Honda and found that the original plate is still attached to the car, indicating the plate used by the perpetrators was a “twin plate” or a “kambal plaka.”
“So if there is any indication, ito pong mga nagtangkang mag-ambush dito sa ating kapatid sa media, this involves a professional group,” Fajardo said.
[Translation: So if there is any indication, those who attempted the ambush on our brother from the media, this involves a professional group.]
“Nag-iingat tayo sa pagbibigay ng information dahil sabi nga ni Gen. Torre kanina, we don’t want to preempt. But they already have the lead at hopefully sabi niya kung hindi matatapos ang linggong ito, they are confident na makukuha nila mga suspects,” she said.
[Translation: We are careful in giving out information because, as Gen. Torre said earlier, we don’t want to preempt, but they already have the lead and hopefully, he said if this isn’t concluded this week, they are confident they will get the suspects.]
She said the investigators are not ruling out any motives at this time. Once suspects are arrested, the police will have a better idea on whether the motive is linked to Abiad’s job as a media practitioner or maybe a personal one, she said.
Last Friday, PNP Public Information Office (PIO) chief PBGen. Redrico Maranan said PNP chief PGen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. ordered the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Quezon City Police District to expedite the investigation and quickly identify the suspects behind the shooting of Abiad, a photojournalist of Remate Online.
“To ensure a thorough and efficient investigation, the Quezon City Police District created SITG Abiad, the Special Investigation Task Group, which will meticulously gather evidence and testimonies. We are sparing no effort in our quest to gather substantial evidence and testimonies to shed light on this incident, ultimately leading to the immediate arrest of the perpetrators,” Maranan said.
He said the PNP is actively collaborating with the victim’s family and colleagues in Remate to get information that will help in the investigation.
Torre said Abiad might have been attacked for being a witness during anti-drug operations conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the PNP, or he might have been a victim of mistaken identity.
“Kanyang bayaw isang malaking contractor na right now embroiled in a conflict with some of his business partners. Pagkatapos hindi naman kasi kanya ang sasakayan – hindi kay Joshua ang sasakyan. May possibility nga yon. ₱200 million ang pinag-uusapan,” said Torre.
[Translation: His brother in law is a big contractor who, right now, is embroiled in a conflict with some of his business partners. And the car doesn’t belong to him – it isn’t Joshua’s. We’re talking around ₱200 million here.]
Authorities said that aside from the photojournalist, members of Abiad’s family and Jeffrey Ngo Cao, a bystander and resident of Barangay Apolonio Samson, Quezon City were also wounded during the ambush.
Meantime, Abiad’s four-year-old nephew has succumbed to his injuries last weekend.
Initial reports showed the Abiad family was heading home when they were ambushed by four unidentified assailants along Corumi and Gazan streets in Barangay Masambong last Thursday.
Torre said the attackers fled towards Del Monte Ave., Quezon City in a getaway vehicle.
