Police: 3 persons ambushed Perales

CEBU, Philippines — Police said at least three persons were involved in the killing of 57-year-old engineer Roel Perales in the morning of January 22 in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City.

Chief Inspector Mercy Villaro, information officer of Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO), said this is based on the initial result of the investigation conducted by MCPO-Station 3.

"Sa usa ka motor duha, sa laing motor usa. Possibly gisundan ni siya," Villaro said.

Police are now looking at the incident as a case of robbery with homicide as Perales’ sling bag containing his cellphone and wallet were not found in his vehicle and are presumed to have been taken by the assailants.

"Ilaha pa lang kaso nga pwede ma-file, mas mitumaw gyud nga kaso is robbery with homicide," Villaro said.

Although, Villaro added that they are also considering other motives.

"Padayon gihapon ang investigation as to other possibilities and other motives na nganong gipatay siya," Villaro added.

Police are waiting for the autopsy report on the victim’s gunshot wounds and the result of the examination of fingerprints collected from the victim's silver Nissan Navara pickup.

Villaro added that they were able to obtain a copy of footage taken from a surveillance camera showing that Perales had withdrawn cash from a bank in Consolacion and was heading off to his project site in Barangay Paknaan in Mandaue City when he was ambushed.

The cash, which was said to be a large amount, might be intended for the maintenance of the site Perales was building.

Villaro said the victim’s wife has told them that her husband owns a licensed firearm, and that they are still investigating to see if the firearm was among the items inside the sling bag taken by the assailants.

Perales, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Compostela, Cebu, was ambushed by unidentified assailants and was shot eight times.

Villaro said they already alerted neighboring police stations to be on the lookout for the suspects. —JBB (FREEMAN)