ZAMBOANGA CITY – The local police has created a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to handle the investigation on the killing of a retired policeman-turn businessman in a drive-by shooting Thursday evening here.
Alvin Perez, 49, who owned a construction firm, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds while one of his two bodyguards, Danny Boy Bellesa, 30, was wounded.
Perez's other bodyguard, Regie Bartolome, 34, was unscathed during the incident that took place around 6:56 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Divisoria here.
The SITG was activated Friday when the City Peace and Order Council and City Anti-Drug Abuse Council convened to discuss Perez's killing.
Col. Alexander Lorenzo, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director, said Friday the SITG consists of different units from the Philippine National Police and Task Force Zamboanga to help fast-track the investigation.
“Police investigators are exerting the best efforts to establish the identities of the suspects as well as the motive of the incident,” Lorenzo said.
Maj. Albin Cabayacruz, ZCPO’s Station 5 chief, said Perez was driving his Sports Utility Vehicle with his two bodyguards on the way home when repeatedly shot by one of two men on a motorcycle.
“While Perez was driving the SUV, the motorcycle-riding suspects suddenly emerged from behind and opened fired,” Cabayacruz said, based on information they gathered.
Perez expired while undergoing treatment at a hospital.
Bartolome managed to return fire but missed the suspects who were then fleeing from the crime scene.
Responding policemen recovered more than 60 empty shells of caliber 5.56-millimeter rifle and a magazine of .45-caliber pistol. (PNA)
