A police officer was shot dead by two motorcycle-riding gunmen while driving his car more than a kilometer away from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) headquarters Tuesday night.
OCPD probers said Lieutenant Ernesto Mendoza Jr., 52, of BArangay New Era, died on the spot inside his car due to multiple gunshot wounds in the body.
Mendoza, assigned to QCPD Logistic Division (DLD), was driving home aboard his gray Hyundai Accent (DAD 5607) after his duty when the incident happened, police said.
According to investigators, Mendoza was passing the intersection of Malingap and Mapagkawanggawa Streets at around 8:10 p.m. when two men wearing black jackets and riding a blue Yamaha NMAX motorcycle appeared on his left side.
Witnesses said the back rider pulled out a handgun and repeatedly shot the victim who lost control of the vehicle and eventually died.
During investigation, authorities noted that Mendoza tried to retaliate as he was seen holding his service firearm.
Recovered from the crime scene were 11 cartridge cases and two deformed bullets of still unknown type of handgun.
Police said they were conducting a thorough probe to check if the killing was work-related or personal.
Acting QCPD chief Police Colonel Ronnie Montejo ordered on Wednesday the creation of a special investigation task group (SITG) to conduct extensive investigation and establish the motive behind the ambush.
Montejo said the “SITG Mendoza” will consider all possible angle in the investigation to establish the motive behind the “senseless shooting.”
Prior to his assignment to the DLD, Mendoza was detailed at the QCPD Special Operations Unit in 2015 before he was transferred to Police Regional Office 13 (CARAGA) in 2016. (Alexandria San Juan)
