The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) announced on Tuesday, Feb. 7, the arrest of the mastermind and the gunman in the shooting of a lady employee of the Office of the Ombudsman in Barangay Dona Josefa, Quezon City on Feb. 1.
The QCPD identified the gunman as Marlon Ayup Nery, 47, of Barangay Bungad, QC, and the mastermind as Dexter Cruz, 45, also an employee of the Office of the Ombudsman.
Members of the QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) and Galas Station (PS 11) immediately launched a manhunt operation and thorough investigation after the incident where the victim, Dianne Jane Paguirigan, 37, from Barangay San Isidro, was shot by the suspect in front of a bank along Quezon Avenue, Barangay Dona Joseffa at around 8:20 a.m. on Feb. 1.
The victim sustained a gunshot wound in her chest and was rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.
The police obtained a closed-circuit television footage (CCTV) showing the escape route taken by the gunman. The QCPD said Nery was last seen in Barangay San Agustin in the city according to the footage.
With a tip from concerned citizens, Nery was arrested by operatives in the said barangay at around 9:20 a.m. on Monday.
The QCPD said Nery named Cruz as the mastermind in the shooting incident.
Police arrested Cruz in a follow up operation at around 7:15 p.m. on the same day on Central Avenue, Barangay Culiat, Quezon City.
Investigation showed that Cruz first contracted one “Mako” to execute the killing but the latter refused. He then met with Nery on Nov. 1. 2022 in ManilaNorth Cemetery and conspired for the killing of the victim.
In December 2022, the two met again where Nery received P30,000 and the picture of the victim.
Seized from the suspects were several firearms, including a shotgun, magazines, and ammunition, three cellphones, a vaccine card, a barangay identification card, a gray Honda TMX, two belt bags, a rifle bag, and a hand grenade.
The suspects will be charged for frustrated murder and violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, police said.
Cruz is facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9516 or the Illegal Possession of Explosives, it added.
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