Motorbike used by Abra lawyer’s slay suspects found

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The motorcycle used by the gunmen in the killing of lawyer Maria Saniata Liwliwa Alzate in Abra  last week has been recovered.

Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. David Peredo said the motorcycle was found abandoned in a ravine in a forested area around 300 meters from a hotel in Casamata Hill, Barangay Zone 5.

Investigators chanced upon the motorcycle when they scoured the area where the gunmen fled after the killing.

“We have persons of interest,” Peredo said, but did not elaborate.

Closed-circuit television cameras caught two motorcycle riders shooting Alzate several times.

The victim was in her Mitsubishi Mirage parked in front of her house along Santiago street in Barangay Zone 3 in Bangued when she was shot.

Peredo said probers still have no lead on the suspects and their motive.

Alzate’s husband, Raphiel, a former regional trial court judge, expressed dismay over what he described as a slow-paced investigation into the killing.