Activist’s brother killed in ‘drug-linked’ shooting

SAN PEDRO CITY – A brother of a commuters’ rights activist was shot dead in what police believed was an illegal drug-related attack in this city,  police said on Tuesday.

The victim Emilian Grey Miranda, 36, was the younger brother of Donna Miranda, the partner of poet-activist and Train Riders Network convenor Angelo Suarez.

The couple is known for vocally criticizing the Metro Rail Transit.

According to the police report, the victim, who owned a water refilling station, was loading water bottles on his vehicle for delivery outside their home in Barangay (village) San Vicente when he was attacked past 3 p.m. Monday.

In a phone interview, Donna said their mother heard gunshots and rushed outside and found her brother dead. Footages from the village’s security camera showed that a lone gunman approached the victim before firing at close range.

Police said the victim was hit twice in the face with a .45 caliber gun.

In a separate phone interview, city police chief Supt. Harold Depositar said Emilian was included on the drugs watch list of San Vicente, although it was not clear if Emilian had surrendered in the government’s anti-drug drive, Oplan Tokhang.

Depositar said no illegal drugs were recovered from the victim.

Donna declined to comment whether her brother used illegal drugs. CDG/rga

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