GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — Hitmen riding in tandem on a motorcycle shot and killed a female executive of media network Brigada Group of Companies based in this city, while she was driving home from the office past noon last Friday.
Capt. Abdulsalam Mamalinta, chief of city police station 4, identified the victim as Yentez Quintoy, 34, executive office director and chief of staff of Brigada Group which operates a local television station and a network of newspapers and radio stations in Mindanao.
Mamalinta said Quintoy was driving a Mitsubishi Xpander along NLSA Road, Barangay San Isidro around 12:15 p.m. when waylaid by the motorcycle-riding gunmen who immediately opened fire at her sports utility vehicle.
The report said Quintoy sustained at least one bullet wound in the body and was taken to the St. Elizabeth Hospital on Santiago Boulevard, where she was declared dead on arrival.
Investigators said the gunmen riding in tandem on a black Kawasaki Bajaj motorcycle appeared to have tailed Quintoy’s vehicle from the office and struck as she reduced speed at the corner of Guinto Street in Purok Masunurin.
“(The) suspects immediately escaped from the scene towards NLSA road,” Mamalinta said.
In a statement, Brigada Group said Quintoy was driving home to have lunch with her children.
“Brigada is in full cooperation with the proper authorities even as initial steps have already been (taken) to get to the bottom of this,” it said.
The company is offering a P1-million reward for information leading to the arrest “of whoever is behind the dreadful act.”
Incensed by the crime, Sen. Sonny Angara offered his condolences to Quintoy’s family and media company and called on the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to vleave no stone unturned in its investigation into this crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.