Manhunt ramped up for beauty queen, coop exec killers

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered a full-scale manhunt for the gunmen in the killings of a former beauty queen in Isabela and an electric cooperative director in Oriental Mindoro last Friday.

PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police would focus on identifying and arresting those involved in the two killings “in the interest of justice and the rule of law.”

Nartatez was referring to the killing last Friday of teacher and former Ms. Philippines Earth runner-up Lullete Jane Ramilo-de Guzman and Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative director Antonio Mendeja.

De Guzman was in her car with her three children when two motorcycle-riding gunmen opened fire in front of their house in Barangay Cabaritan in San Manuel, Isabela.

The 32-year-old De Guzman died on the spot.

Investigators initially eyed personal and work-related angles as possible motives.

Mendeja, on the other hand, was shot after briefly stopping to check the engine of his vehicle in Barangay Delrazon in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro.

The motorcycle-riding gunman reportedly pulled over and shot the executive several times in the body. Emergency responders rushed Mendeja to the Oriental Mindoro Central District Hospital, where he died during treatment.

Reports said Mendeja was on his way home from Calapan City where he attended the signing of a memorandum of agreement for a solar light project.

Nartatez ordered yesterday the regional police directors in Cagayan Valley and Mimaropa to deepen their investigation to determine the motives for the killings and identify the suspects.

He also directed police commanders to intensify checkpoints, visibility patrols and strategic deployment of personnel, alongside operations against loose firearms and wanted persons, to prevent further attacks.