Police eye love triangle, politics behind killing of Ram Revilla

RAM REVILLA’s Twitter profile photo

Is it love triangle or politics?

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. is looking into a possibility that “love triangle” or “politics” may be the motive behind the death of his half-brother inside their home in Parañaque City shortly before midnight on Friday.

Ramgen Jose Bautista, also known by his screen name Ram Revilla, 23, was pronounced dead on arrival at 12:15 a.m. on Saturday at the Parañaque General Hospital due to multiple gunshot and stab wounds.

The victim’s girlfriend, Janelle Ann Caren Manahan, is in critical condition at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, after she was shot in the jaw and sustained stab wounds on both sides of her chest.

Senator Revilla has offered a P500,000 reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of the two unidentified suspects.

The Revilla family and police investigators are closely looking into either “love triangle” or “politics” as the motive behind Ramgen’s death after finding clues on Ramgen’s cell phone.

“We’re looking into the cell phone of my brother and it’s possible that there’s a love triangle motive here. We are waiting for the recovery of his girlfriend who might be able to shed light on the matter,” he said.

The police are also looking into the political angle since Ramgen had expressed his intent to join politics in Cavite.

“Wag naman sana politics. [I hope it’s not politics.] For now, we are exploring all possible leads on the case,” he said.

Parañaque Police chief Senior Superintendent Billy Beltran said Ramgen and Janelle were shot on the second floor of the Revilla residence along President Avenue, BF Homes, Parañaque City.

“We are investigating the subdivision guards for possible lapses because the security outpost is located near the victim’s residence,” Beltran said.

Beltran said the househelp and aide curiously did not hear any gun shots inside the house. He added that they were collating statements from four other relatives inside the house when the incident happened.

Ramgen is the son of former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr. and Genelyn Magsaysay.

Ramgen’s younger sister, Ma. Ramona Belen Bautista, 22, said she saw two unidentified men barged into her brother’s room, one of whom was armed and wore a mask.

Ramona told the police that she saw the masked man and Ramgen arguing then she heard shots while she was at the next room.

“When I went in, I was shocked to see blood sputtered everywhere. I shouted his name – Ramgen! Ramgen! But he did not respond,” Ramona told the police.

Ramona was then forcibly dragged to a van outside their house by the suspects who fled and sped southbound. She was abandoned near a mall on Zapote-Alabang Road, Pamplona, Las Piñas City.

She then sought the help of Starmall security guard Marlon Bacalando and was brought to Las Piñas for investigation.

“Robbery was already ruled out because nothing was taken in the house. I am still puzzled because I don’t know any enemies of Ram or anyone who hated him that much to kill him,” said the senator.

Police recovered a dagger pouch, a .45 caliber pistol whose serial number is registered to the Revillas and is confirming if the gun was used in the killing. The evidence were brought to the police crime laboratory in Makati City.

Senator Revilla said it was “extremely difficult” for them to relay the news to their ailing father, former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr.

“We already told him and he’s in deep shock – tulala. We asked the help of his doctor and nurse to check on his condition,” he said.

Revilla said he would do everything to catch the killers immediately.

“We won’t stop until we give my brother justice,” he added.

The wake will be held at the Angelus Eternal Gardens in Imus, Cavite.