4th suspect in NHA Rizal project site shooting hunted

MANILA, Philippines - Construction work at a housing project of the National Housing Authority (NHA) in Morong, Rizal has resumed, even as the police are hunting down the fourth suspect in the killing of two people and the wounding of four others there last March 6.

Senior Superintendent Rolando Anduyan, Rizal police director, said the management of Baque Corp., who hired workers for the housing project, decided to temporarily stop work at the site following the killing of bulldozer operator Rommel Morales and security guard, Bernard Cocoy.

According to Anduyan, the company decided to resume work last week after a joint police-Army team was deployed to secure the construction site in Sitio Talaga, Barangay Maybancal in Morong town.

Three brothers – Sotero, Miguel and Isagani Abenir – are now in police custody for the killing of Morales and Cocoy and the wounding of project manager Welfredo Pimentel, security chief Rommel Dizon, and security guards Horasio Garcia and Ruby Partosa.

Anduyan said charges of multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder and illegal possession of firearms were filed against the Abenir brothers with the Rizal prosecutor’s office.

Anduyan said the fourth suspect is now being hunted down. “We are now closing in on the hiding place of the fourth suspect and we might get him in due time,” he said.

Houses in the NHA project site were demolished a few months ago and the Abenir’s residence was left behind as it was located in the far end of the lot.

Anduyan said Morales was clearing the area last March 6 when the Abenir brothers opened fire at the Baque workers.

Two of the brothers were arrested when they returned to the site hours after the shooting, while the third gave himself up to Anduyan.