Alleged gunman in LTO registration chief's killing nabbed, Abalos says

The suspect in the fatal shooting of a Land Transportation Office (LTO) official in Quezon City last week has been arrested, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos said Monday.

In a press conference during the launch of the mental health hotline of the Bureau of Fire Protection, Abalos refused to divulge more information about the matter as the inquest proceeding is still pending.

“'Yung nangyari doon sa LTO official, si Mercedita Gutierrez, LTO employee, ay meron nang suspek na naaresto na ang ating kapulisyahan,” Abalos said.

(Regarding the killing of an LTO official, Mercedita Gutierrez, LTO employee, the police have already arrested a suspect.)

“Mamaya, anytime ngayon, i-inquest na ito. So hintayin na lang po natin 'yung inquest mamaya (Later, anytime now, he will undergo inquest proceeding. So let's just wait for it later),” he added.

According to Abalos, the suspect in police custody was the alleged gunman. The police are already looking into a possible motive behind the killing, he added.

On Saturday, the LTO confirmed the identity of the victim as Mercedita Gutierrez, chief of the Registration Section of the LTO Central Office.

According to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), an unidentified gunman on board a motorcycle shot Gutierrez near the corner of K-H Street near Kamias Road, Brgy. Pinyahan, Quezon City on Friday night.

"The victim, who sustained wounds, was immediately brought to East Avenue Medical Center for treatment but was declared dead by the attending physician," QCPD said in its initial report.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II called the killing of Gutierrez “a cowardly act.”

“...We assure her family and the public of our untiring efforts to coordinate with the Philippine National Police and closely monitor the investigation of this incident to bring all the perpetrators of this crime behind bars,” he said.

“On behalf of the men and women of the LTO, I extend my sincerest condolences to her loved ones, and likewise join them in seeking justice for this dastardly act,” he added.

The QCPD, meanwhile, has created a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to conduct a thorough investigation into the shooting incident.

"Our prayers and sympathy to the bereaved family of the victim. The QCPD  will not stop pursuing the suspect and we will make sure that justice will be served," QCPD Director Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan said. —KG, GMA Integrated News