Homicide probers now have video on ambush

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has already secured a video footage from the security camera in one of the establishments near the area where a couple was ambushed in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City last Friday.

The footage, however, is yet to be viewed by homicide investigators because they are waiting for an Information Technology (IT) expert to look into it.

SPO4 Alex Dacua, investigator, said that the video might have recorded the incident to help them identify the culprit.

“They (couple) are willing to coordinate, sa pagkakaron tua pa man sa ospital ang bana magpaabot lang una mi,” Dacua said.

Chief Inspector Romeo Santander, chief of the City Intelligence Branch (CIB), said that they will go back to the hospital where Rodrigo Barquero is confined. Santander said Barquero is still recuperating and could not talk well.

Barquero and his wife, Juliet Alma, were ambushed last Friday morning. The couple survived from the attack with only the husband was injured.

Cebu City Police Office director Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el Jr. has ordered homicide investigators to focus on the identity of the assailants through the security footage. He admitted that investigators have already an idea of who are the assailants.

The victims were riding their Kia Rio when they were ambushed at T. Padilla Extension. They were on their way to attend a Mass at the Basilica del Sto. Niño.

The assailants were on board a motorcycle and were tailing the victims’ car before shooting them.

At least 16 empty shells of KG9 automatic machine pistol were recovered at the crime scene.  The police believe that the husband’s work as facilitator of car registration could be the motive behind the ambush.  FPL (FREEMAN)