House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez has commended the Philippine National Police (PNP) for its swift arrest of the suspect in the viral road rage shooting in Antipolo City.

“I commend the PNP, under the leadership of Gen. [Rommel] Marbil, for demonstrating stronger, smarter policing—from the sharp drop in focus crimes nationwide to the swift arrest of the Antipolo road rage suspect,” Romualdez said in a statement Tuesday afternoon, April 1.

"The Antipolo incident, in particular, shows how far the PNP has come in terms of speed and responsiveness,” he said, noting that the suspect was caught within an hour.

Romualdez was referring to the March 30 incident along Marcos Highway in Antipolo City, where a heated traffic confrontation escalated into a shooting that injured four individuals, including the suspect’s partner. Police announced Monday that one of the victims died. 

The Speaker commended the police officers for their exemplary performance in promptly apprehending the alleged gunman, identified as Kenneth Alajar Bautista, a 28-year-old businessman.

“Salamat sa inyong hindi matatawarang serbisyo at pagtupad ng buong katapatan at katapangan sa inyong tungkulin (Thank you for your unwavering service and for fulfilling your duty with utmost honesty and bravery),” said the House leader, referring to the policemen who were awarded by the PNP with the Medalya ng Kagalingan for their exemplary law enforcement response.

They were Police Lieutenant Orlando Santos Jalmasco, Police Chief Master Sergeant Ranel Delos Santos Cruz, Police Corporal Kaveen John Rubia Vea, Police Corporal Joeban Acosta Abendaño, Police Corporal Niño Cipriano Chavez, Patrolman Reylan Rivarez De Chavez, Patrolman Michael Keith Lalican Panganiban, and Patrolman John Mark Bacli Manahan.

Romualdez--Leyte's 1st district congressman--pointed out that rapid action in high-profile incidents like this sends a clear signal that crime and impunity have no place in society.

“When criminals are caught within minutes—not days—it sends a powerful message: there are no safe havens for lawbreakers in this country,” he said.