Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso issues a stern warning to the alleged gunman in the killing of retired police officer George Capistrano during a press briefing on March 19. (Photo courtesy of Manila Public Information Office)

Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Thursday, March 19, warned the gunman behind the killing of retired police officer George Capistrano that he will be hunted down to face the full force of the law.

“Itong loko-lokong Albert, expired ka na, ha (This crazy Albert, your time is up),” Domagoso said in a television interview, referring to alleged gunman Albert Magdaraog, who was given 48 hours to surrender following the mayor's ultimatum on Monday, March 16. 

Magdaraog was identified as the alleged shooter based on information provided by driver-suspect Liegem Bulalacao Young, also known as “Biboy,” who surrendered to authorities within 24 hours after the ultimatum was issued.

The mayor emphasized that the killing was not politically motivated but a criminal act executed by a riding-in-tandem robbery group operating in Metro Manila.

“Hindi. Krimen lang ho ito. This is a riding-in-tandem, hold-up robbery, hold-up group, guns out (No. This is just a crime. This is a riding-in-tandem, hold-up robbery group, guns out),” he said. 

According to Domagoso, preliminary information from the surrendered driver-suspect indicates that such groups have been treating Metro Manila as a base for criminal activity.

“At mukhang itong mga grupong ito, ginagawang hanapbuhay yung Metro Manila (And it seems these groups have made Metro Manila their livelihood),” he added. 

He further explained that the sequence of events points to robbery as the primary motive.

“Kasi kung ang understanding namin, kung talagang target si George for some other motive, no, nung umabante si George, nasa likod na eh. Normal riding-in-tandem, puwede ka nang barilin nakatalikod ka. Pero kinausap talaga para kunin yung mga gamit ni George (Because based on our understanding, if George was really targeted for some other motive, when he approached, he would already be behind [the assailants]. In a normal riding-in-tandem, you can shoot someone with their back turned. But they actually talked to him to take George’s belongings),” Domagoso said. 

Capistrano, a retired police officer and a member of the mayor’s security detail, was described as well-loved within the Manila Police District.

“Sa salita po ng kalye, may kalalagyan kayo (You won’t get away with this),” Domagoso warned, reaffirming the city’s determination to bring the gunman to justice.