The attempt to eliminate all the trails that would disclose their identity did not become that successful for the attackers of Aparri, Cagfayan Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda after police investigators were able to save some numbers in the chassis and engine of the getaway vehicle that was found burned hours after the ambush in Nueva Vizcaya.
Police Col. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said local investigators were able to lift some numbers in the chassis number of the burned vehicle.
"Based on the initial finding of the forensic group in Nueva Vizcaya, it appears that the chassis number and the engine number of the burned Mitsubishi Adventure had been tampered and defaced, however the Highway Patrol Group in Nueva Vizcaya was able to lift some chassis number," said Fajardo.
"This is now the focus of investigation, we already coordinated with the Land Transportation Office, we already have the name of the registered owner and the Special Investigation Task Group is now coordinating with the other local police to find the location of the registered owner," she added.
For his part, PNP chief information officer Col. Redrico Maranan said there was coordination made with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and it was found out that the government plate that was seen attached to that vehicle was registered to a vehicle that was currently impounded at the Nueva Vizcaya State University.
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. said they are looking into three possible motives-- political, business and personal.
He said part of the investigation is to determine if the perpetrators are indeed policemen as witnesses said they were wearing police uniform when they blocked a road in Bagabag town on Saturday, Feb. 18, and eventually fired at the vehicle of Alameda.
The attack led to the death of Alameda and his five other companions.
"We are still determining if the perpetrators are really in the PNP service because apparently they were using police uniforms. If they are indeed policemen, we will continue pursuing the investigation and we will apply the full force of the law," said Azurin.
"The use of PNP uniform, that's uncalled for because they are tainting the image of the uniformed services especially of the police organization. So we encourage the support of the community for any lead that could help solve and give justice to the vice mayor and the other victims," he added.