ZAMBOANGA CITY – The local police has launched a manhunt operation to arrest three suspects linked to the gun slaying of a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officer in this city.
Col. Alexander Lorenzo, city police director, said Friday they already have the identities of the suspects responsible for the killing of Ensign Jenard Santos.
Santos, 30, was assigned with the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM) headquarters in Camp Basilio Navarro here before his death.
He was boarding his motorcycle when his assailants repeatedly shot him in Barangay Kampung Islam at about 5:50 p.m. Thursday.
“He (Santos) was on his way home when shot by the suspects,” Lt. Col. Paul Andrew Cortes, city police information officer, said in a phone interview, adding that the victim was a resident of Barangay Curuan in this city.
Santos was taken to the hospital but was declared dead. Mushayra Tiblani, 23, a resident of Kampung Islam, was injured after she was hit by a stray bullet.
Recovered from the crime scene were six empty shells of a 9-mm pistol.
Lorenzo said they believed that the motive in the killing of Santos was work-related.
Santos was previously assigned to General Santos City but was transferred to the CGDSWM headquarters here due to threats to his life. (PNA)
