Van found in Baclaran used by Alfred Mendiola–Calabarzon police

BODY OF EVIDENCE. Explosive Ordnance Divison personnel inspect the Toyota Grandia-type van (TBO-299) allegedly used by Alfred Mendiola, the slain key witness in a criminal case against the leaders of the Dominguez carjacking gang, which was recovered in Baclaran, Parañaque City on Tuesday. Southern Police District head Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona says that shells from a caliber .45 pistol and packaging tape were found inside the van. The bodies of Mendiola and two others were found in Dasmariñas, Cavite province Sunday, May 6, 2012. NINO JESUS ORBETA/Inquirer

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna—Police sources in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) said the van recovered in the Baclaran district in Parañaque City on Tuesday morning was the vehicle used by Alfred Mendiola, the slain star witness against the Dominguez car theft gang.

A police source privy to the case said Mendiola and two other victims, Mark Herrera and Eriberto Jumaquio, had used the white Toyota Grandia (plate no. TBO 299) supposedly for a leisure trip, before they were found dead in Cavite on Sunday morning.

The source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the case, said the van was recovered in the vicinity of Baclaran at around 10 a.m.

He said the Scene of the Crime Operatives and bomb experts were already inspecting the vehicle.

“From outside the window, you could see packaging tape, cell phones and empty (gun) shells,” the source said.

The bodies of the victims, their mouths wrapped with packing tape and hands bound, were recovered in a vacant lot in Barangay Salawag, Dasmariñas City in Cavite. Each had a bullet wound in the head.