A female police officer was shot dead by two motorcycle-riding men while driving to work in Manila Sunday night.
Police Officer 1 Jorsan Marie Alafriz, who was supposed to turn 26 tomorrow, sustained 16 bullet wounds, including four in the face, and did not reach the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center alive.
Alafriz was the daughter of retired Police Inspector Jorge Alafriz, then assigned to the Northern Police District.
She joined the force two years ago.
SPO4 Glenzor Vallejo of the Manila Police District-Crimes Against Persons Investigation Section (CAPIS) said Alafriz was on board her Mitsubishi Mirage G4 with conduction sticker NP-9583 when the suspects made their move at the corner of Rizal and Claro M. Recto Avenues at 10:20 p.m.
Successive shots were fired as Alafriz, though wounded, tried to speed off toward Recto Avenue and hit two parked tricycles in front of a bar.
The suspects followed the victim and pumped more bullets before fleeing.
Elements of the Plaza Miranda PCP heard the gunshots and were first to rush to the crime scene.
Police are still investigating possible motives, but Vallejo said they are looking at Barbosa Police Community Precinct’s (PCP’s) involvement in the police anti-illegal drugs operation.
“Marami siguro siyang nakakagalit sa lugar nila dahil akala nila siya ang nagpapahuli sa mga adik dun,” he said.
Alafriz was a resident of Sta. Cruz Manila and assigned to the Barbosa PCP.
The investigator said the witnesses could not give a clear description of the suspects because one was wearing a helmet while the other had shades and face mask on.
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footages were of little help, according to Vallejo.
Alafriz’s bullet-riddled vehicle has been turned over to MPD for examination.
Police recovered 13 empty shells of a still undetermined type of firearm and a Taurus 9mm with a magazine loaded with 14 live ammunition. (JAIMIE ROSE ABERIA)
