PNP: 5 persons of interest in QC shooting of photojourn identified

Authorities have already identified five persons of interest in the June 29 shooting of a photojournalist in Quezon City, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said Monday.

“Kausap ko po kanina si [Police Brigadier General Nick Torre], yung district director po ng [Quezon City Police District]. Meron na po silang limang persons of interest at kasalukuyan po nila itong fina-follow up,” she told reporters in an interview.

(I have talked with QCPD director Police Brigadier General Nick Torre earlier. He said they already have five persons of interest whom they are following up.)

The victim, Joshua Abiad, a photographer for Remate Online, was riding in a car with some relatives when another vehicle blocked their way in Barangay Masambong around 3 p.m. on June 29.

A man wearing a black jacket then got off the car and started firing shots and fled. A motorcycle rider was also seen serving as a lookout.

After the shooting incident, the perpetrators fled towards Del Monte Avenue using their getaway vehicle.

Six other victims were inside the vehicle along with Abiad, including three minors.

Abiad was immediately brought to the hospital and is now safe.

A bystander was also hit by a stray bullet, according to the police.

Fajardo said authorities discovered that the plate number of the vehicle used by the perpetrators was registered to a different vehicle. The owner of the other vehicle was traced.

According to her, their plates were switched up.

With this development, Fajardo said there is an indication that the shooting of the media practitioner involved a “professional group.”

“So nag-iingat po tayo sa pagbibigay ng information (So we are being cautious in giving out information),” she said.

Fajardo said Torre had expressed optimism that the perpetrators will be captured before the end of the week because “they are hot on trails of these five persons of interest.” — RSJ, GMA Integrated News