SPD hunting down owner of SUV parked near gate where radio broadcaster was shot
The Southern Police District (SPD) is now tracing the ownership of a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) that was parked near the gate of BF Resort Village where veteran radio and print journalist Percy Lapid (Percival Mabasa) was shot dead.
Lapid's family told the police that they saw two men wearing bull caps who were onboard the SUV that was parked at the subdivision gate before Lapid was fired at by two men riding in a motorcycle, based on the footage of Lapid's dashboard camera.
The dashboard camera showed the SUV leaving the crime scene when the two gunmen on a motorcycle started firing at Lapid.
SPD Director Col. Kirby John Brion Kraft said the copy of the video obtained by the police is now part of the evidence of the case.
Kraft also said they still have to establish the identity of the suspects as well as their motive behind Lapid’s killing.
The SPD chief said the police will also conduct cross-matching with other shooting incidents after a ballistic examination found that the firearm that was used by the suspects on Lapid was a .45 caliber pistol.
The brother of the victim, Roy Mabasa, is asking the public who witnessed the incident to help the police in the investigation.
Mabasa said their family is grateful to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos for his offer of P500,000 to those who could provide information on the shooting.