‘Breakthrough’ in race champ’s slay probe lifts parents’ hopes

PASTOR

MANILA, Philippines—The parents of slain motor sportsman Ferdinand “Enzo” Pastor are hopeful that people responsible for the June 13 murder would soon be unmasked, noting that investigators are now pursuing strong leads.

“There’s a breakthrough in the investigation and we are hoping that the perpetrators of the murder of my son will be brought to justice,” Tom Pastor said in an interview.

“We have suspects in mind and the possible motives they may have,” he said. “But we are not experts in the criminal justice system; we are parents praying for closure.”

Tom and wife Remy, who went to the Inquirer office on Thursday, said they remained hopeful that witnesses or informants would come forward following the announcement of a P1-million reward from Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Earlier this week, the tough-talking mayor said he was offering the reward as a personal friend of Enzo. “His tragic death was not only a loss to his family and children, but a loss to the country as well,” reports quoted Duterte as saying.

“We would be grateful to anyone who is willing to help us. We cannot thank him (Duterte) enough,” said Tom, a car race organizer and founder of Philippine Formula Autosport Inc.

Zaldy Rivera, an agent of the National Bureau of Investigation who is working on the case, confirmed the “breakthrough” cited by the Pastors but declined to give details. “The investigation is going on and we hope to catch the suspects soon.”

Tom noted that his son was shot “11 times” in the late-night ambush at the corner of Congressional and Visayas Avenues, Quezon City. The masked gunmen made sure he would not live, he said.

“It was not robbery because all his belongings were intact, including the race car (he was transporting that night),” the father told the Inquirer. “We just had dinner earlier and he insisted that he himself drive the truck carrying the race car to Clark.”

The attack also wounded Enzo’s helper. They were then on their way to Clark International Speedway in preparation for another international race. Enzo had just won a race in the Batangas Racing Circuit a few days before he was killed.