A witness has identified the two suspects in the shooting and killing of a female street sweeper in Taguig.
At about 6:45 a.m. on Feb. 16, street sweeper Jonna Liza Mendoza, 39, was having a conversation with a coworker in front of the Rizal Community Complex across from a 7-Eleven convenience store at the corner of Floraville and Magnolia Streets in Barangay Rizal, Taguig when two male suspects shot her.
Victim Jonna Liza Mendoza (Screenshot from GMA Network’s “Saksi” video/Josephine Garcia Mendoza)
The body of street sweeper Jonna Liza Mendoza in Barangay Rizal, Taguig (Screenshot from Barangay Rizal video)
According to a report by the Taguig Police, Jonna suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was killed in the incident. The two suspects fled.
A video circulating on Facebook showed Rizal Barangay Captain Sammy Cruz walking past the location of the victim when shots rang out.
“Pinalampas lang kami ni Kap (They just waited for us to pass),” a woman said in the video. Cruz and his companions went back and saw the lifeless body of Mendoza.
According to the Southern Police District (SPD), the police launched follow-up operations and used CCTV footage to identify the suspects.
A breakthrough in the case came when a witness disclosed vital information to the Taguig Police Precinct 2.
The SPD said the witness identified the suspects as alias Eñaque, 36, and another individual known as alias Byron.
According to the SPD, Eñaque had a criminal history including a murder charge on Sept. 18 last year; violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and PD 1602 (Prescribing Stiffer Penalties on Illegal Gambling) on Dec. 27, 2018; and robbery on Jan. 30, 2015.
Eñaque allegedly blamed Mendoza for the recent arrest of his partner, escalating the motive behind the tragic incident, the SPD said.
On the other hand, Mendoza was arrested for violation of Republic Act 9165 and Executive Order No. 23 on Oct. 9, 2020, the SPD added. Her body was taken to a funeral home for autopsy.
Taguig Police chief Col. Robert Baesa said Mendoza was probably killed because she was suspected of being a police asset, GMA Network’s “Saksi” reported. .
"I assure the community that every resource at our disposal will be utilized in the thorough investigation of this matter. We will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of justice for Alias Jonna and her grieving loved ones,” said SPD Director, Brig. Gen. Mark Pespes.
He added that “the SPD remains steadfast in its commitment to the safety and well-being of our community. We appreciate your understanding and support during this challenging time."
Rizal is one of the 10 EMBO (enlisted men's barrio) barangays transferred to Taguig from Makati through a Supreme Court decision.