Kin thinks murder of Manila City chief prosecutor well planned
MANILA, Philippines — The nephew of Manila City’s Senior Prosecutor Jovencio Senados believes that the daring daylight ambush that killed his uncle on Tuesday was well hatched.
According to Felji Bagares, who served as the driver of the slain city chief prosecutor, they were on their way to the Manila City Hall from Laguna when he noticed a red Toyota Innova tailing them.
“Pagbaba galing Skyway may napansin ako kasabayan na pulang Innova… Nung paliko kami Quirino Avenue, inunahan kami Innova tapos bigla huminto ‘yung Innova na pula tapos bigla huminto Monterong itim. Doon na binakbakan (‘yung tito ko),” he narrated to reporters near the scene where they were attacked by still unidentified assailants.
(From the Skyway, I already noticed that there was a red Innova that has been following us… When we’re about to turn towards Quirino Avenue, the Innova suddenly stopped and then a black Montero also suddenly pulled over. And then the attack happened.)
He even pointed out that the red Innova stopped in front of their vehicle to make sure they could not get away.
Manila Police District (MPD) chief Rolly Miranda said he ordered police officers to review closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the house of the victim all the way to the crime scene.
“Inassign ko na mag-ba-backtrack mula sa pinanggalingan hanggang sa pinangyarihan ng krimen… Makikita natin sa CCTV along the way kung ‘yung pulang [AUV] nandun pa rin,” he said over Teleradyo on Wednesday.
(I assigned them to backtrack the footage from where the victim came from up to where the crime happened. We will see from the CCTV if, along the way, the red SUV was just there.)
Bagares also said there was only one shooter inside the black Montero. The attackers of Senados, who died on the spot, quickly left the scene after the shooting.
Bagares already submitted his testimony to the police.
No death threats
Bagares said he is not aware that his uncle’s life was in danger or if he had been receiving death threats. He also said he has been the prosecutor’s driver for two years already.
“Mag-o-open naman ‘yan sakin kung meron, pero wala talaga,” he said.
(He will open up to me but he did not tell me anything.)
“Pinapikit niya ako,” he also recalled, “kapag dilat ko ulit, wala na, wasak na ulo.”
(He asked me to close my eyes and when I opened them, he’s gone, his head wrecked.)
