A motorcycle rider was shot dead after chasing another rider who escaped from a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) checkpoint along Commonwealth Avenue on Friday night, March 14.
The victim was identified as Wilmer Zara, 31.
Zara tried to help the MMDA personnel by pursuing the suspect who evaded a checkpoint near Soliven Street.
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage captured Zara falling to the ground after being shot. He was rushed to the hospital but later died due to a gunshot wound on the head.
The suspect fled the scene on Zara’s motorcycle which was later found abandoned a few meters away.
The keyless vehicle automatically stopped once it went out of range from its main key.
According to Zara’s wife, Leira Jane Zara, her husband had just picked her up from work in Manila and they were on their way home to Rodriguez, Rizal.
They stopped along Commonwealth Avenue to buy food for their children when the incident occurred.
“Nakita niya naman na walang gamit na motor 'yung MMDA. Siya po 'yung nag-volunteer na habulin 'yung naka-motor po na 'yon. Eh sinabi ko naman po sa kanya huwag na niya habulin kasi pauwi na po kami,” (He saw that the MMDA didn’t have a vehicle to chase after the rider, so he volunteered to help. I told him not to, but he insisted since we were already on our way home) Leira Jane said.
“Sobrang hirap na sasabihin sa 'yo ng anak mo na gusto nilang katabi 'yung Daddy nila matulog. Lalo na po 'yung panganay ko po kasi halos siya pa lang po may isip eh (It’s heartbreaking to hear my kids say they want to sleep beside their Daddy. Especially my eldest, who already understands the situation),” she added.
Leira Jane appealed for justice for Wilmer and wants the suspect to surrender.
“Sana kusa ka na lang sumuko kasi sobrang hirap sa amin na nagluluksa kami sa ginawa mo tapos ikaw hindi ko alam kung nakakatulog ka pa nang mahimbing (Please turn yourself in. We’re grieving over what you did, while I don’t know if you’re still able to sleep peacefully)," she said.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) is conducting a thorough investigation and is reviewing CCTV footage to track down the suspect.
A hot pursuit operation is ongoing and the QCPD is coordinating with the MMDA to solve the case.
“Patuloy pa rin po ang ating masusing pag-iimbestiga sa mga CCTV footage na magiging basehan natin. Ito 'yung ginagawa nating back tracking and forward tracking. Hindi po titigil ang QCPD hanggang hindi po naipagkakaloob ang hustisya rito sa biktima at sa kanyang pamilya (We are meticulously reviewing CCTV footage to gather evidence through backtracking and forward tracking. The QCPD will not stop until justice is served for the victim and his family),” QCPD spokesperson Capt. Febie Madrid said. (Jhoana Mae Delfin)