Robredo orders manhunt for killers of carjack witness in Malolos

MANILA, Philippines—Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo on Friday said that he has ordered a manhunt for the suspects in the killing of a witness, who just testified in a court trial against a notorious carjacking suspects when shot dead.

Speaking to reporters during a press conference in Ortigas, Robredo said that he directed Bulacan provincial police officials to start a massive manhunt against the killers of Cristina Bruan Rojas.

Robredo said that he has sent a letter to Philippine National Police chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome asking for an investigation on the incident. He explained that authorities needed to find out the motive for killing Rojas because “it might not be carjacking-related.”

Rojas was shot dead while riding a jeepney along McArthur Highway on Thursday by still unidentified suspects after attending a court hearing in Malolos City on the carjacking case against brothers Raymund and Roger Dominguez.

The Dominguez brothers have been identified by the PNP Highway Patrol Group as the ring leaders of a dreaded carjacking syndicate operating in Central Luzon. They have been placed under police custody for the kidnapping and murder of car dealers Venson Evangelista and Emerson Lozano last year.

Asked if the DILG would provide security details for Venson Evangelista’s father Arsenio and his family, Robredo said the has needs to signify the need for security details.

“Some people are not comfortable with security details. They need to feel at ease with whoever we would assign to protect them. It is difficult to provide [security] if they have not asked for it,” he said.