malaysiangManila: The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Thursday said three suspects have been arrested over a shooting incident that left two people dead, including a barangay public safety officer in Quezon City, and another one wounded.
In a press briefing held at the QCPD headquarters in Camp Karingal, QCPD director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan identified the suspects as Ricardo Lucas Jr., 44; Ernie Tambaoan, 40; and Jenny Joy Roldan, 31 live-in partner of Tambaoan.
The three were arrested Wednesday over the killing of Pelagio Cabaddu, 43, a resident of Barangay Sauyo, and barangay public safety officer Cornelio Nuval Jr., 57, the night before at around 10:30 p.m.
Maranan said initial investigation showed that the killing stemmed from a heated argument between the suspects and their neighbors, who were complaining that the former was still having a videoke session late at night.
Witnesses said Cabaddu’s nephew interfered, further angering Tambaoan who strangled him. Cabaddu retaliated and punched Tambaoan, pr
ompting Lucas to shoot him with a handgun. He also shot Nuval and another barangay watchman who had just responded to the area after receiving reports about the scuffle.
The attackers then fled aboard a motorcycle.
The victims were initially rushed to a nearby hospital by their relatives but Cabaddu was pronounced dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, Nuval and the other wounded watchman had to be transferred to the East Avenue Medical Center and Quezon City General Hospital, respectively. Nuval later died from his injuries.
Investigators retrieved two bullet casings and a fired bullet at the scene of the shooting.
A joint follow-up operation was conducted by QCPD operatives from the Talipapa Police Station (PS-3), leading to the arrest of the suspects around 10:53 a.m. Wednesday inside Barskie Appartel, located at No. 81 Payatas Road, Brgy. Payatas, Quezon City. Roldan, meanwhile, was also arrested for illegal possession of ammunition.
Maranan said Lucas and Tambaoan have standing warrants of arrest for murder a
nd other crimes in Ilocos and Central Luzon. A background investigation on them revealed they are members of gun-for-hire syndicates.
For the QC shooting, Lucas and Tambaoan will be facing two counts of murder and violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition before the office of the city prosecutor.
‘Ang mabilis na operasyon na ito ay patunay ng ating dedikasyon na bigyang hustisya ang mga biktima at tiyakin na ang sinumang lumabag sa batas ay mananagot. Hindi kami mag-aatubiling tugisin ang mga kriminal sa ating komunidad (This swift operation is proof of our dedication to bring justice to the victims and ensure that anyone who violates the law is held accountable. We will not hesitate to pursue criminals in our community),’ said Maranan.
Source: Philippines News agency
