Retired PNP official killed; robbery-slay pinned on ex-driver

The Manila Police District (MPD) is looking for a 40-year-old driver who allegedly killed his former employer, a retired police colonel, and stole his vehicle in Sta. Cruz, Manila, before dawn Sunday.

The suspect was identified as Allan Liwanag, who allegedly stabbed his boss dead while the latter was having an early breakfast at his residence around 3:55 a.m.

The homicide investigator on the case, SPO2 Charles Duran, identified the victim as retired Supt. Cipriano Herrera, 77.

The victim’s former unit in the Philippine National Police was not immediately known at press time.

After allegedly killing Herrera, Liwanag fled using the victim’s Ford Escape with plate number ACA 1295.

“We have a witness who, after seeing CCTV footage, said that based on the way the man walked and on his shoes, the perpetrator was Allan,” said Senior Insp. Rommel Anicete, chief of MPD homicide division.

Herrera sustained stab wounds in the neck and body. He was rushed to Metropolitan Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead around 5 a.m.

The MPD also gathered that Liwanag was earlier fired by the victim’s family after valuables in the Herrera household, including gadgets, went missing.

The family members suspected Liwanag of being the thief since he was the only nonrelative who had access to their house.

An initial investigation showed that Liwanag may have entered the house through the fire escape after seeing Herrera go downstairs to have his morning coffee.

The suspect faces charges for murder and robbery.