5 suspects in Abiad shooting identified

QCPD logo. Image from QCPD website, graphic art by Jerome Cristobal / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police on Monday revealed that the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has identified five “persons of interest” in the shooting of Remate photojournalist Joshua Abiad.

At a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said there were indications that the suspects might be a part of a professional criminal group.

This information came after the police discovered the suspect’s vehicle, which bears a license plate number assigned to a different vehicle.

The five suspects are currently under surveillance by QCPD Director Brig. Gen. Nicholas Torre III and will likely be arrested by the end of the week.

The PNP, however, gave no further details.

“We don’t want to preempt but they already have the lead. Hopefully, by the end of this week, they are confident that they will catch the suspects,” she added.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Monday called on the government to make good on its promise to protect media workers, after the 4-year-old nephew of Abiad succumbed to gunshot wounds.

On Monday, NUJP national chair Jonathan de Santos said that while they acknowledge government efforts to resolve recent attacks on members of the press, this latest shooting against photojournalist Abiad—done in the same manner as the ambush against veteran journalist Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa last year—was “reprehensible” and a “cause for concern.”

No justification for attacks

“There is no justification for the attacks on media workers and the fact that Abiad’s nephew has died in the shooting has made it even more reprehensible,” he said.

On Monday, QCPD chief Torre confirmed that the nephew, who was one of seven people in the vehicle during the ambush, has died from a bullet to the head.

Another child, an 8-year-old, sustained a bullet to the backbone.

The attack happened on June 29 in front of their house in Quezon City, while they were inside their Ford Everest.

The suspects then immediately fled toward Del Monte Avenue. Despite their injuries, one of the victims, Renato Abiad, managed to drive the family to Capitol Medical Center for treatment.

Torre said they believed the target was Abiad, 37, who himself was shot twice. Three of his family members were also injured in the crossfire. Another bystander was hit by a stray bullet.

The district chief said they have already formed a special task force to investigate the “heartless shooting” of the Abiad family.

The Southern Metro Manila Press Club also strongly condemned the incident, calling it an attack not only on their family but on “freedom of expression and to all the freedoms we hold dear as citizens.”