Ram Revilla murder: 'Too many angles, motives'

MANILA, Philippines - Investigators are still chasing leads and possible suspects in the killing of 23-year-old actor Ram Revilla, a half-brother of Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., in his home in BF Homes, Parañaque City Friday, officials said yesterday.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Billy Beltran said what the police have gathered so far “are not enough to make a conclusion.”

“There are too many angles and too many motives but we have no sufficient evidence yet,” said Chief Inspector Enrique Sy, the city police’s chief investigator and head of Task Force Ramgen, derived from Revilla’s real name, Ramgen Jose Bautista.

The angles considered by the police include politics (Bautista has expressed intentions of running as councilor for Cavite), love triangle, and fraternity war.

According to Beltran, the police are waiting for Bautista’s girlfriend, Janelle Manahan, and sister Ma. Ramona Bautista to gain enough strength so they can get their account of the attack. Cops are also awaiting the results of forensic examinations.

Sy said Ramona is still in shock, while Manahan is recuperating at the Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa City. Manahan’s doctors also advised the police to keep the interviews short.

Both women have given initial statements as to how a masked man stabbed and shot Bautista several times on Friday night, but Sy said they are not enough.

The house helpers in the Bautista residence on President’s Avenue in Phase 6-A at that time also told police they did not witness the killing.

Crime done in 10 seconds

Bautista and Manahan were resting in the actor’s room on the second floor when “a lone attacker” barged in about 10:30 p.m.

“The attacker shot Janelle twice before shooting Ram,” the police major quoted Manahan as saying.

A struggle ensued between the attacker and Bautista, until Ramona ran to her brother’s rescue. Manahan, meanwhile, feigned death until she lost consciousness, said Sy.

The attacker and his companion-driver took Ramona with them and left her near a mall in Las Piñas City after an hour.

Manahan regained consciousness shortly before midnight and sent a text message to a friend, who reported the crime to the police.

According to Sy, it is “possible” that the attacker is “familiar” with Bautista’s house because it only took “10 seconds” to complete the crime. He also noted the attacker’s familiarity with the house gate and Bautista’s room.

Bautista sustained gunshot wounds in the face and stab wounds all over his body. He was dead on arrival at the Parañaque City Medical Center on Saturday morning. His remains were transferred to Imus, Cavite.

The Revilla family vowed not to stop until justice is served. The senator has offered P500,000 to anyone who can provide information that could lead to the attacker’s arrest.