Heiress murder, cops to invite owner of car tailing gunman

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City Police Office is inviting the owner of a red Nissan Patrol to shed light on the shooting to death of a 15-year-old Japanese heiress along AS Fortuna Street last Saturday.

MCPO director Petronelli Baldebrin said they have already the name and the address of the owner of the vehicle. The vehicle was seen tailing the gunman who shot dead Kim Espina and wounded her mother Prescilla Patenio, 54.

Baldebrin explained that the owner and the people on board the vehicle are not yet considered suspects but suspicions were raised after the gunman was seen on CCTV talking with the passenger of the red vehicle prior to the shooting incident. Another person onboard the vehicle was also seen communicating with the gunman.

Police investigators are looking at the “inheritance and love angle” as possible motives in the killing. Espina is reportedly the sole heir of her late Japanese father’s wealth who owned a toy factory in Japan.

Baldebrin said he already instructed the homicide investigators to invite the owner of the vehicle for investigation. The police are also seeking the cooperation of Prescilla in the investigation to expedite the solution of the case.

Prescilla is still recuperating at the hospital and is still unable to communicate verbally because of the gunshot wound in her cheek. She is, however, capable of writing which is temporarily her means to communicate with her other children.

The Regional Intelligence Division is already assisting the MCPO in the investigation of the case.

Superintendent Rex Derilo, RID deputy chief, said they will coordinate with MCPO to provide assistance in the investigation. He said they will be giving significant information to the MCPO that could help the investigation.

“Now, we are focusing on specific angles already labi na nga nahibaw-an na man nato ang background sa victim. Kung how is she related sa foreign national,” said Derilo.

Derilo said they will delve into the activities of the victims prior to the incident. He added that there is a possibility that the gunman was for hire.

“Kung di lang na siya tulis, dako gyud ang possibility nga gun-for-hire gyud na,” he said.

Meanwhile, classmates and schoolmates of Kim at the St. Loiuse School in Mandaue City are calling for justice. The students are even raising funds to help in the investigation. They described Kim to be a very jolly person. — (FREEMAN)