By Hannah Nicol
Members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) announced on Thursday, July 11, the arrest of a man involved in a road rage shooting incident that occurred in front of a restaurant in Barangay Doña Josefa, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.
The suspect, identified as Edwij de Javing Bautista, 52, a resident of Navotas City, was apprehended after a series of follow-up operations.
Based on the police report, the incident took place around 6 p.m. on July 2. The victims, traveling with two minors, were driving along Quezon Avenue when another vehicle accidentally hit the side mirror of their car.
The suspect sped off, prompting the victim to chase and eventually block the suspect's vehicle.
Upon reaching Banawe Street, the suspect maneuvered his vehicle and, for unknown reasons, pulled out a firearm and shot the victim’s car, hitting the victim in the right foot. The suspect fled towards Araneta Avenue.
Responding to the incident, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) launched a series of follow-up operations. On July 5, operatives verified the owner of the involved vehicle through the Philippine National Police (PNP) Highway Patrol Group at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The vehicle was registered under Bautista's name.
Authorities also obtained a photograph of Bautista from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) driver's license database, which the victim positively identified as the suspect who shot them.
Operatives from Galas Police Station (PS 11) arrested Bautista around 12 p.m. on July 10.
Police revealed that Bautista has a pending warrant of arrest for estafa issued by the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Branch 3, Fourth Judicial Region, Antipolo City, Rizal, on August 1, 2021.
Bautista will face attempted murder charges, police said.