The Pasay City police force has launched a manhunt for the main suspect in the shooting incident that hurt two businessman in Pasay City before dawn on Monday.
Ciriaco Joseph Garcia III was believed to have a grudge against his target, one of the passengers of the Nissan Urvan that the suspect and two men repeatedly shot while it was traversing Sta. Escolastica Street near Roxas Boulevard.
An initial police probe disclosed that Joel Borja, who said he had recognized the suspect, was travelling with friends Tristan Tracy Ferrer, Bryan Garcia and Kelvin Barrenechan when a black Toyota Camry blocked their path.
Three armed men alighted from the vehicle and immediately fired multiple shots at the victims’ van.
Ferrer, who was driving the car, sustained a gunshot wound on his left leg while Barrenechan suffered abrasions.
Both were brought to San Juan de Dios Hospital where they were declared in stable condition.
Borja said the suspects immediately boarded their vehicle after the shooting and escaped towards Gil Puyat Avenue.
“Ciriaco has a grudge against me because I never approved of his love affair with my daughter,” Borja said in a statement
He also told the police that his wife received threatening messages from Garcia a week ago.
The predawn attack also damaged a motorcycle which was accidentally hit by the victims’ vehicle during the shooting.
The car window of a cab parked near the crime scene was also hit by a stray bullet.
Hours before the attack, Borja said he spotted the suspect eyeing him while he was waiting for his order at a restaurant along Sta. Monica Street at the corner of Roxas Boulevard.
SPO1 Genomar Geraldino and his team searched Garcia’s apartment along F.B. Harrison Street for any sign of the suspect, but found no one there.