One of the suspected men who shot and killed a member of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) officer in Tondo on Saturday had pending cases of frustrated homicide, homicide and frustrated murder at the Manila Regional Trial Court.
Ronnie Rivera, alias Ogie Rivera or Ogie Miranda, was previously issued warrants for two counts of frustrated murder in October 2006, homicide in July 2005 and frustrated murder in September 2009, according to police investigators.
Rivera, who had gone into hiding, is out on bail while the cases are being heard.
Police Inspector Rommel Anicete ruled out personal feud as motive during their altercation at 2 a.m.
“Wala naman silang personal na galit sa isa’t-isa. Makikita sa CCTV na kumakain sina PO2 Gabriel nung dumating ang grupo nina Ogie pero magkakahiwalay sila ng upuan sa carinderia…isa sa mga suspek tumayo at lumapit sa mesa nina Gabriel. At nung paalis na, lumapit ang taong ito sa likod ng sidecar na sinasakayan nila Gabriel. May kinumpronta sa likod ng sidecar. Bumaba si Gabriel at umawat. Naging free for all na kaya nagkabasag basag mga gamit ng may-ari ng carinderia,” Anicete said.
“Hindi sila magkakakilala although mga regular customer sila dun,” Anicete added.
As shown in the CCTV footage, Gabriel’s group gathered in front of his home in Coral street for a chat without knowing that one of the suspects had followed them.
Moments later, gunshots were fired at them with Gabriel’s friend Crisanto Jovani Lozano, 25, the first to drop after a hail of bullets.
Gabriel managed to run for his life but one of the suspects chased him and shot him repeatedly.
Meanwhile, three of their companions were rushed to hospitals.
Christopher de Guzman, 34, sustained a gunshot wound on the right leg while Jeffrey Sumang, 22, was shot on his right leg.
Kevin Lloyd Pascua, 21, also sustained gunshot wound on the right leg.
Police identified the gunmen as Rivera and Oliver ‘Obeng’ Santos based on the CCTV footages from Barangays 121 and 71.
Aside from Rivera and Santos, policemen are also hunting down Santos’ brothers Ruzzel Santos and Julius Santos and another unidentified companion of the group. (JENNY F. MANONGDO)
