PNP investigating 'car history' of getaway vehicle used in Aparri vice mayor ambush

Authorities are now tracking the previous owners of the getaway vehicle used in the ambush of Aparri, Cagayan Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda and five others in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.

“Patuloy po yung pag-iimbestiga ng HPG (Highway Patrol Group) para matunton po natin yung iba pang may-ari ng sasakyang ito na kung tawagin natin ay "car history" nang sa ganun matunton po natin yung tinatawag nating last possessor bago ito ginamit dito sa krimen na ito,” said PNP public information office chief Police Colonel Redrico Maranan during a public briefing. 

(The HPG is conducting an investigation to track the other owners of the vehicle or what we call "car history", so we can pinpoint the last possessor before it was used in the crime.)

On Tuesday, PNP said they have identified the registered owner of the getaway vehicle. The Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) is now coordinating with the local police to find the registered owner.

However, authorities are still not sure if he still owns the vehicle.

The PNP is also trying to obtain CCTV footage for the investigation.

On Sunday, Alameda and five others were killed when their van was ambushed by gunmen in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya.

Also killed in the ambush were Alexander Agustin Delos Angeles, Alvin Dela Cruz Abel, Abraham Dela Cruz Ramos, John Duane Banag Almeda, and Ismael Nanay.

The victims were aboard a Starex van on the way to Manila when they were gunned down by the suspects. —VAL, GMA Integrated News