2 Chinese killed in Taguig just released from jail — police

MANILA, Philippines — The two Chinese nationals gunned down in Taguig City had just been released from the detention facility of Camp Bagong Diwa when they were killed on Tuesday, according to police.

Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said the two victims identified as Wa Fan Hoi alias “Yingjie” or “Ninjie Zhang,” 43; and Yu Cao, 40, were released after the court dismissed their charges for sale and possession of illegal drugs under the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

“The case was dismissed because the apprehending officer was not able to solidify their case that created doubts that led to the dismissal of the case,” he said during a press briefing at the headquarters of the Manila Police District.

Sinas said the charges were filed by the Eastern Police District’s Drug Enforcement Unit back in 2012 when they allegedly yielded over a kilogram of shabu worth around P6.8 million in today’s local drug market.

Investigators are now trying to identify the persons who knew about the release of the victims of what appeared to be a “planned out” crime, according to Sinas.

The two foreigners were onboard a Toyota Vios when they were fired upon by four men aboard motorcycles in front of the Department of Science and Technology building, just a few blocks away from the police camp, along Gen. Santos Avenue in Barangay Upper Bicutan at about 2:30 p.m.

A Filipino identified as Noel Olimba Galio was also killed in the shooting, while two girls, aged five and 12, were injured and were brought to Taguig-Pateros District Hospital for treatment.

Sinas said investigators are checking footages of closed-circuit television cameras in the crime scene, adding that no one recognized the gunmen since they were wearing helmets.

He also said that it is premature to say that the victims’ alleged involvement in drugs was the motive behind the incident.

Two cellphones recovered from the victims were also turned-over to the anti-cybercrime unit for forensics.

Police are also coordinating with the court that dismissed the case of the victims to identify the background of the complaint.