Police release photo of suspect in DPWH official ambush, offer P200K reward

The Southern Police District (SPD) on Monday released a photo of one of the two suspects in the June 5 shooting of an official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Pasay City.

At a press conference, SPD chief Police Brigadier General Kirby Kraft said a P200,000 reward will be given to anyone who has information that could help capture the suspect.

Kraft said the police are only seeing a “work-related” motive behind the attack.

“Base sa imbestigasyon na ginawa namin, wala kaming nakikitang iba pang motibo kundi work-related talaga [Based on our investigation, we cannot see any other motive but work-related],” he said.

The victim was identified as Atty. Maria Rocelle Melizza, the chief of Right of Ways Acquisition and Legal Division of the DPWH-National Capital Region (NCR).

On June 5, Melizza was with DPWH driver Deo Decena onboard a vehicle when they were ambushed by two motorcycle-riding suspects along Fortuna Street in Barangay 21 while on their way to DPWH-NCR office at Intramuros.

The shooting incident was caught on CCTV.

Melizza was shot on the head and shoulder while Decena on the side of his body, according to Pasay City Police chief Police Colonel Froilan Uy.

The DPWH official is now in an intensive care unit in a hospital while the driver is already stable, Uy added.

The photo of the suspect, who was the backrider, was obtained from another CCTV footage captured before the attack, according  to Kraft.

Kraft said the suspects fled to the Cavite area after the shooting incident.

The plate of the motorcycle used by the suspects was registered to a four-wheel vehicle, the police official added. —KBK, GMA Integrated News