A former security guard involved in a shooting incident that resulted in the death of the son of his former lover and in the wounding of her two other children was arrested by the police in Quezon City on Saturday evening, March 26.
Lt. Col. Julio Abong, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Crime Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) chief, identified the suspect as Florencio Rios, 40, a resident of Brgy. Old Balara, Quezon City.
The CIDU said that Rios’ former partner, Anna Mari Baluno, 41, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), asked for their help on Saturday, after the suspect threatened her that he would upload her private photos in social media and throw an explosive into their house in Barangay Greater Fairview, Quezon City during the wake of her son if she would not meet up with him.
According to the police, Rios visited Baluno’s residence on March 18 and tried to reconcile with her.
However, the suspect suddenly pulled out his gun and fired shots at Baluno’s three children which resulted in the death of one child and wounding of two others. The suspect was able to escape.
Police said that charges for murder and frustrated murder were already filed at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against the suspect while he was still in hiding.
The CIDU launched an entrapment operation at the corner of Lilac Avenue and M. Gabriel Compound in Brgy. West Fairview at around 11:12 p.m. on March 26 where Baluno positively identified the suspect as the person who threatened her.
Authorities recovered one caliber .45 pistol, two magazines, 50 bullets, a hand grenade, two cellphones, a blue motorcycle, and various identifcation cards from the suspect.
Charges for violations of Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code or grave threat, Republic Act (RA) 9516 for unlawful possession of explosives, RA 10591 or the “Comprehensive Firearm and Ammunition Regulation Act”, and RA 9262 or “Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004” will be filed against the suspect, police said.