QC cops find motorcycle used in ambush-slay of businessman, driver
MANILA, Philippines — The police found Tuesday night the motorcycle used by two unidentified assailants in the ambush-slay of a businessman and his driver along Timog Avenue in Quezon City.
The motorcycle – a Yamaha Mio 125S with black and green colorway – was found abandoned along Scout Rallos, with two helmets still placed on it, Kamuning police commander Lt. Col. Zacahary Capellan told reporters in Camp Crame on Wednesday.
Police forensic investigators recovered at least four fingerprint impressions on the recovered helmets as well as the motorcycle’s side mirrors, Capellan noted.
READ: Both victims in QC road shooting die – police
The two assailants were on a motorcycle when the back rider opened fire on the two victims aboard a Suzuki hatchback along Timog Avenue on Tuesday afternoon, then fled toward Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.
The victims were brought to the East Avenue Medical Center but were eventually declared dead by the attending physicians.
The Quezon City Police District identified the victims as Ceferino Mariano, a 75-year-old businessman in the club and bars industry; and Norberto, his 51-year-old driver.
Asked whether his involvement in the club and bars industry may have motivated the killing, Capellan answered in Filipino, “That’s our assessment. It has something to do with the business.”
“There is a strong probability that, prior to the incident, the victims were surveyed because we have footage with a view where, before the victims went to Timog, the suspects were already waiting for them,” he added in a mix of Filipino and English.
Both victims’ families claimed of not knowing any threats to their security prior to the incident, the Kamuning police commander further noted.
Both the gunman and the motorcycle driver were seen on security footage walking along the nearby Ybardolaza Street toward Timog Avenue minutes before the incident.
They were also seen changing their shirts while casually walking along the sidewalk.
The gunman was seen wearing a light blue cap, a black shirt, light blue shorts and slippers; while the motorcycle driver was seen wearing a blue cap, a blue shirt with the word “Jeep,” light blue shorts and black shoes.
They were both estimated to be between 40 and 50 years old.
According to Capellan, police investigators had traced the motorcycle’s supposed license plate to a registered motorcycle owner, a Batasan Hills resident.
However, when authorities came to verify his identity, the Batasan resident said he had owned a Honda Click, not a Yamaha Mio.
“License plates can be reproduced. It can be fabricated. We can see them online, it can be forged,” Capellan explained in Filipino.
“The plate attached to the motorcycle recovered does not belong to the exact motorcycle but to another motorcycle owned by another individual,” he added.
The Kamuning police commander further noted that, after the shooting incident, both men were spotted walking along Ybardolaza Street again, crossed Timog Avenue and turned to Scout Borromeo Street, where they had hailed a tricycle.
The two men then rode the tricycle to Quezon Avenue where they boarded a passenger jeep, he added.
The police are still tracking down the two men.
A special investigation team had been formed by the QCPD to probe the incident. /jpv
