Suspect in photojournalist’s attack arrested; 7 other suspects identified
This photo from the Quezon City Police District shows the faces of two “persons of interest” in the brazen attack on photojournalist Rene Joshua Abiad on June 29, 2023, as taken from CCTV footage.
MANILA, Philippines — One of the suspects in the shooting of photojournalist Rene Joshua Abiad and his relatives last June 29 has been arrested, according to Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Brig. Gen. Nicholas Torre III.
Torre announced on Tuesday that one of the suspects, which he identified as Eduardo Almario Legaspi II, alias “Bingbong,” was arrested last July 8 for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
“We have arrested one suspect, and we will name him because he’s already charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives. But the other cohorts, we are looking into seven other people, all of them will be named through their alternate names but not their real names just to stay on the same side of the law,” the QCPD director said in a press briefing.
Based on a suspect diagram Torre presented before the media, the aliases of the other seven suspects were:
- Nanad (a former barangay chairman in Pasay City)
- Greg (middleman)
- Juan (middleman)
- Marlon (gunman)
- Oca (driver of the suspects’ vehicle)
- Mata/Alexis (player or driver of motorcycle)
- SBoy (cousin of Oca, passenger).
According to Torre, the Special Investigation Task Force “Abiad” has already launched a manhunt operation against the seven other suspects.
He added that the attack might have stemmed from suspect Nanad’s grudge against Abiad for allegedly using his friends in the media to release negative commentary about him.
Torre said he would reveal other suspects’ names on Wednesday or in the coming days.
Aside from baring the aliases and identity of the suspect, Torre also revealed that they had confiscated a .45 caliber pistol with seven live ammunition, one hand grenade, and a black motorcycle from Legaspi.
Torre said that Legaspi will face complaints for violating Republic Act (RA) 10591 (illegal possession of firearms and ammunition) and RA 9156 (unlawful possession of explosives), which were filed before the Muntinlupa City Prosecutor’s Office, as well as murder and three counts of frustrated filed before the QC Prosecutor’s Office.
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