Bullet-proofed car saves victim: Cops arrest three in foiled ambush

CEBU, Philippines -Still reeling from two high-profile ambush incidents that took place earlier this week, the marketing manager of a cement firm survived an attempt on his life noontime yesterday at the corner Gorordo and Cardinal Rosales Aves. In barangay Kamputhaw, just meters away from the headquarters of the Cebu City Police Office.

While the police haven’t made any arrests in the ambush slay of Manuel Ting and the attempt on the life of his younger brother Nicolas, this time, authorities collared three men allegedly involved in the latest incident.

Arrested were a construction contractor and two men, who he allegedly paid to kill Nestor Zamora, 45, who works for a cement firm in the town of San Fernando.

Jerome Noel, 41, was identified by gunman Orlando Sagnoy, 30, and his cohort Roberto Tercero, 27, as the one who allegedly instructed them to kill Zamora, who was on board a white Ford Everest during the attack.

Luckily, the bullet proofing of Zamora’s vehicle stopped the bullets from the Ingram machine pistol allegedly fired by Sagnoy, who was on board a motorcycle that was reportedly driven by Tercero.

The police said that this was not the first attempt on the life of Zamora.

There were two other attempts on the life of Zamora, the first in 2007, which forced him to have his vehicle bullet proofed.

Witness Rodulfo Gonzales, 50, said after he was done paying for his lotto ticket near his house, he saw a motorcycle overtaking Zamora’s SUV with plate number YBH 309, which was getting ready to turn right to Cardinal Rosales Ave.

It was at this point, the witness said that he saw the passenger of the motorcycle pull out a gun and fire at the driver-side window of the SUV.

The witness said that he then saw the driver of the vehicle partially open his door and fired back at the attackers.

It was at this point, said the witness, that the gunman, who was later identified as Sagnoy of Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, get off the motorcycle and continued to fire at Zamora.

The motorcycle driver, who was later identified as Tercero, of Mohon, Toledo City, sped off towards the Cebu Business Park.

Luckily, not Zamora, Sagnoy nor any other person was hit during the exchange of fire.

Sagnoy reportedly ran towards where he saw his get away motorcycle go, but was left behind by Tercero.

He reportedly tried to hide the machine pistol on a branch of a big tree, but was not fast enough to flee the pursuing policemen from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) led by Chief Insp. Arnel Banzon.

Sagnoy was collared inside the Cebu Business Park.

Operatives of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch of the CCPO led by Chief Insp. George Ylanan placed Sagnoy under tactical interrogation.

In a follow up operation, the police were able to entrap Tercero in barangay Lahug after Sagnoy gave them his phone number.

The Sagnoy, upon instruction of the police called Tercero to tell him that they were to meet at a mall in Lahug since the ‘mission’ was a success.

Minutes later, plain clothes policemen were all over the area around the mall and made the arrest after Tercero was identified by Sagnoy.

The police also recovered the Suzuki motorcycle used by the Tercero.

It was at this point that they called Noel through his cellular phone and arranged a meeting in the same area. It was Tercero, who was asked by the police to call.

After about an hour, Noel arrived at the area and was immediately arrested.

Found in Noel’s possession were a Glock 9 mm pistol with live ammunition and ten sticks of marijuana.

Noel vehemently denied giving instructions to the two men when asked by the police then later just kept quiet while waiting for a lawyer.

Tercero, who works in Noel’s construction firm, alleged that he was paid P15,000 to kill Zamora.

He said, after Noel allegedly asked him to do the job, he recruited Sagnoy, who is his friend, to do the deed and paid him P5,000.

Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Director of CCPO, said they will still establish if there was really a shootout that transpired between Zamora and Sagnoy.Apart from focusing their investigation on the arrested suspects, they will also still have to match the empty shells recovered from the crime scene, he said.

Comendador said they are eyeing business and personal grudge as the possible motives behind the incident.

He said they will also invite a woman, who is reportedly a friend of Noel, to check if the incident might also be triggered by a love triangle motive.

He added that the victim himself did not say much to them as to the possible motive of the incident.

Comendador disclosed that Zamora was also ambushed by two motorcycle-riding men in barangay Mabolo, this city last June 2, 2007 while the victim was driving another vehicle.

They are still investigating though if the suspects were also behind the attack.

However, Comendador said the gunman admitted that it was also he and Tercero, who tried to ambush the victim two weeks ago in the city but failed to do so when the gun malfunctioned.

The victim also confirmed this, he added.

Comendador said they will check if Sagnoy is a gun-for-hire and could be the one who shot dead Manuel Ting last Tuesday in barangay Tisa, though the cartographic sketch made by Task Force Ting showed that the gunman was semi-bald while Sagnoy has long curly hair.

The CCPO Director said they are now preparing the charges to be filed against the suspects. —/NLQ (FREEMAN NEWS)