Cops release sketch of suspect in killing of NCMH chief, driver

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) made public on Friday the composite sketch of one of the suspects in the murder of National Center for Mental Health (NCHM) director Roland Luyun Cortez and his driver Ernesto Ponce dela Cruz.

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In an interview with reporters, CIDU chief Major Elmer Monsalve said the suspect is allegedly the “spotter.” A spotter is an accomplice whose duty is to watch out for the target or incoming police.

“Yung spotter na isa, nakuhanan ng video… Lumalabas na hindi pa siya gunman. Spotter lang,” Monsalve said in a phone interview.

(He is a spotter based on the video shown to us. It was revealed that he is not a gunman, he is just a spotter.)

Monsalve said the spotter is reportedly the one who conducted surveillance on Cortez along Tandang Sora in Quezon City.

“Siya yung tumitingin siya, ‘yung bumabantay kay Cortez. Siya yung nagpattern kay Dr. Cortez. Five days before bago siya (Cortez) barilin, nandoon na siya (spotter) lagi,” Monsalve said.

(He watched Cortez. He was the one who conducted Cortez’ routine. Five days before Cortez was shot, the spotter was always there.)

Monsalve explained that they will not disclose further details about the suspect to protect the witnesses who helped supply information about the spotter.

Police probers are still conducting further investigation to identify the gunmen and the spotter involved in the murder of Cortez and his driver, Monsalve added.

Initial reports from the QCPD showed that Cortez and his driver were shot dead by two gunmen riding-in-tandem on a motorcycle while they were in their vehicle along Tandang Sora Avenue in Quezon City at 7 a.m. last July 27, Monday.

According to witnesses, the two gunmen then fled towards Commonwealth Avenue after the shooting.

/MUF