Two men who may have information on the murder of a young female police officer were shot by two motorcycle-riding gunmen Tuesday night right after giving their testimonies to the police.
Jefferson Li, a 34-year-old tricycle driver, died while his 24-year-old brother Gerard survived the attack and was rushed to the Jose Rizal Memorial Medical Center where he received treatment for a bullet wound on his right foot.
Magdilino Futol, a 40-year-old vendor, was hit by a stray bullet.
The brothers presented themselves to the Manila Police District (MPD) homicide section to give their statements in connection with the ambush slay of PO1 Jorsan Marie Alafriz on Monday night.
“Pumunta sila rito, inimbistigahan sila, nagbigay sila ng statement, tapos nirelease na sila,” Crimes Against Persons Investigation Section (CAPIS) officer-in-charge Police Senior Inspector Fernildo De Castro said.
De Castro declined to share what the brothers told the police.
The victims left the MPD at 8 p.m. and were on their way home when they were ambushed at 8:30 p.m. in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Witnesses said the suspects wore face masks and full crash helmets and appeared from behind to open fire at the unsuspecting victims.
Backrider Jefferson fell off the motorcycle and was able to run a few meters before being stopped fatally.
Gerard, on the other hand, managed to seek assistance from a nearby police outpost.
Jefferson was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
“I cannot clarify or evaluate kung sino ang nasa likod. Pero kung sino man ang nagpatira sa kanila, alam nila kung may atraso sila o wala,” De Castro said.
Alafriz died from multiple bullet wounds after being shot while driving his car to work Monday night.
The policewoman was supposed to turn 26 today.
PO1 Jeian Collado said Alafriz was supposed to take a day off yesterday and do some mountain hiking in Rizal.
“Binibiro ko siya, sabi ko malapit na birthday mo, anong ihahanda mo?” Collado said. “Pero sabi niya sa akin, ayokong maghanda. Ang nagustuhan ko dun, sabi niya aakyat daw siya ng bundok. Kumbaga ‘yun na ‘yung thanksgiving niya.”
Jorge Alafriz Sr., the 67-year-old father of the victim, said he usually prepares pancit on her birthdays.
The slain policewoman visited her father and brother Jorge Jr. in Taguig the day before she was killed.
(JAIMIE ROSE ABERIA)