PNP tracking down 6 more suspects in shooting of photojournalist

PNP Spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo  (INQUIRER.net file photo /Faith Argosino)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police is tracking down six more suspects linked to the shooting of Remate photojournalist Joshua Abiad which resulted in the death of his nephew, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said on Wednesday.

“Meron pa pong tinutugis na anim na suspect, kasama na si ‘Captain Nanad,’ alias Chari, si Juanito Padilla, alias Oscar, Marlo, at Jason,” Fajardo said in a press briefing on Wednesday. 

(We are hunting down six more suspects, including Captain Nanad, Charry, Juanito Padilla, Oscar, Marlo, and Jason.)

Earlier, the Quezon City Police District reported that one of the suspects, identified as Jomari Campillo, an accomplice of the gunmen,  was rearrested on Tuesday afternoon in front of the QC Hall of Justice in Barangay Central. 

His apprehension stemmed from an arrest warrant for three counts of frustrated murder issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, Branch 86.

Before this, police said Campillo was first arrested on July 14, 2023, for illegal possession of firearms or violation of Republic Act 10591 but was able to post bail. 

Also, in July last year, Eduardo Almario Legaspi II, one of the gunmen, was collared by authorities at a bus terminal located on EDSA in Cubao. 

The two arrested, along with Padilla, are members of a gun-for-hire group and the suspects directly involved in the shooting, according to Fajardo. 

She likewise revealed that Padilla may only be the person who can identify Captain Nanad, tagged as the attack’s mastermind, who was reportedly a former barangay chairman with drug complaints before the National Bureau of Investigation.

Abiad and his family were on board their vehicle along the corner of Corumi and Gasan Streets in Barangay Masambong, when two armed men riding another car blocked their path and opened fire on June 29, 2023.

Police said the attack resulted in the death of Abiad’s nephew and injured two of his relatives and a bystander.