Suspect behind killing of LTO official in QC nabbed

Police on Monday announced the arrest of the alleged gunman behind the killing of a senior official of the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

In Marisol Abdurahmann’s report on 24 Oras, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) apprehended the suspect in the killing of Mercedita Gutierrez, the chief of the Registration Section of the LTO Central Office.

“‘Yung mga ebidensyang na gather niya ay talagang nag link dito sa ano at merong positive identification ng mga tao. May mga witnesses na ganun,” said DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos.

(We gathered evidence linking the suspect. He was also positively identified by witnesses.)

The QCPD said they have identified the suspect through his motorcycle and its Official Receipt or Certificate of Registration (OR/CR).

He is now facing a murder charge.

“We were not discounting the possibility na mayroon pong nag-utos dahil masyado pa nga pong maaga. Sa ngayon, hindi natin sinasara ang posibilidad,” said Philippine National Police (PNP) PIO Police Colonel Jean Fajardo.

(We are not discounting the possibility that he is a gun-for-hire who was ordered by another suspect.)

Asked if the incident is work-related, Abalos said:  “Siguro may kinalaman sa sasakyan sa pagmamaneho...No it’s not work related”.

(This may be related to a road altercation but no, it is not work-related.)

GMA Integrated News sought comment from the suspect but he declined “for his security”.

Gutierez was the woman earlier reported to be wearing an LTO ID shot dead inside her van on Saturday.

According to the QCPD, an unidentified gunman on board a motorcycle shot Gutierez near the corner of K-H Street near Kamias Road in Barangay Pinyahan on Friday night.—Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News