QCPD: No special treatment for Abaya

Jose Maria Abaya: Charged with two counts of murder which is nonbailable  QCPD PHOTO

There will be no special treatment for the son of a former police general who shot a van on Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, on Tuesday night, leaving two passengers dead and a third wounded.

The head of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) told reporters Thursday that they would enforce the law “without fear or favor” after Jose Maria Abaya, 50, was charged with multiple cases on Wednesday.

According to QCPD director Chief Supt. Edgardo Tinio, the suspect—the son of former Philippine Constabulary General Antonio Abaya—was involved in another shooting but the case was settled out of court.

“Who would want a suspect with an earlier case to go free? I don’t want that because it might be your sibling, relative or friend who will be the next victim,” he said.

The Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office has recommended no bail for Abaya who fired upon a white Hyundai van on Katipunan Avenue on Tuesday night, killing bank manager Joyce Santos and wounding driver Ronebert Ycot and Duke Angelo David III.

According to him, the van was carrying armed men out to get him. In 2012, Abaya shot and killed the security officer of a rehab facility who had been sent to take him back after he escaped from the center.

On Wednesday evening, he underwent inquest proceedings for murder, two counts of frustrated murder, two counts of attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms.

But Chief Insp. Rodelio Marcelo, head of the QCPD  Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU), said that they would be amending the charges against Abaya after a relative of Ycot informed them that he died of his injuries at 6:21 a.m. Thursday.

“I have ordered the CIDU to see to it that they file an airtight case against Abaya and that it will stand on solid ground,” Tinio added.

He told reporters that the public need not worry that Abaya would be accorded special treatment, saying that murder is a nonbailable offense.

The QCPD has also asked the Firearms and Explosives Office to revoke the licenses for two firearms issued to the suspect.

The Glock .40-cal.  pistol that Abaya used in Tuesday’s shooting was reportedly issued to Joseph See.

Tinio said they were investigating how a gun not owned by Abaya ended up in his possession, making him liable for illegal possession of firearms.

Abaya was also arrested by the Eastwood police last year and charged with illegal possession of drugs and a firearm.