Prosecutor sues Makati road rage suspect for murder

CORNERED BY TOP BRASS Road rage suspect Gerard Raymond Yu (head covered) is presented to the media by Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos (fourth from left), Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil (extreme left) and National Capital Region Police Office regional director Major Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (extreme right) at Camp Crame, Quezon City, on Wednesday. — GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines—The Makati City Prosecutor’s Office found probable cause to file a murder case against the suspect in a road rage that occurred along the southbound lane of the Edsa Ayala tunnel in Makati City.

The incident resulted in the death of a stay-in driver.

Citing a resolution released by the prosecutor’s office on Monday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said suspect Gerard Raymond Yu is facing complaints of murder and carrying of firearms without permits.

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“The Office of the City Prosecutor of Makati has issued a resolution finding probable cause to charge our arrested suspect Yu with murder charges for violation of Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code and violation of Section 31 of Republic Act 10591,” Fajardo said, speaking in a mix of English and Filipino, in a press briefing on Tuesday.

The PNP official said the paraffin test results on Yu and the ballistic examination of his firearms were among the bases the prosecutor cited.

Last May 29. Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. revealed that Yu tested positive for gunpowder from the confiscated weapons, which also matched the recovered fired cartridge at the scene.

“In the body of the resolution, the prosecutor says that he [Yu] chased [the victim] and made sure that he positioned himself on the right side of the Innova so that the victim would not notice him,” Fajardo said.

“The case was elevated, and the prosecutor agreed to the murder case we filed yesterday. The city prosecutor also filed information for murder before the Regional Trial Court of Makati,” she added.

Reports said that 65-year-old driver Aniceto Mateo was shot to death along the southbound lane of the Edsa Ayala tunnel last May 28 around 2:30 p.m.

Police said Mateo was with passengers Marites Valmorio, 47, and a minor when the shooting occurred.

The suspect was aboard a black Mercedes Benz with plate number BCS77, while the victims were in a white Toyota Innova on their way to Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Based on the police investigation, Abalos revealed that the black Mercedes Benz was registered to a particular individual living in Las Piñas but who could no longer be found there.

A follow-up operation eventually led to Yu’s location in Riverside Village, Pasig City.

Based on police records, a black Mercedes Benz with plate number DAB 9670 was also found in the residence, and plate number BCS77 was discovered inside the vehicle.