Fingerprints lifted from vehicle of suspect in abs-cbn director’s slay

At least five sets of fingerprints were lifted from the get-away vehicle of the suspected killer of an ABS-CBN director in Makati City.

Chief Superintendent Ernesto Belen, director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) crime laboratory, said the fingerprints were taken from an empty plastic bottle and the driver’s and rear seats of a silver brown Toyota Hi-Lux, with license plate XTW-280.

Witnesses claimed that the vehicle was used by the suspect to escape after shooting Luis "Luigi" Santiago, 26, during an altercation at the Venezia Bar in Glorietta 2 last June 9.

The vehicle was surrendered to the Southern Police District (SPD) by Estrelita Angeles, the mother of its registered owner, Charito, who is presently in the United States.

Belen said the examination of the vehicle at the Southern Police District (SPD) compound was done in the presence of the Angeles’ lawyer.

But Belen pointed out that the SPD has yet to forward to the crime laboratory the specimen of the suspect’s fingerprints for cross-matching.

"I understand that the SPD is still determining the identity of the suspect so we will wait until they forward to us the needed specimen," Belen told The Star.

Reports circulating in Metro Manila over the weekend identified Santiago’s killer as Oliver Perez, believed to be a son of former Justice Secretary Nani Perez.

However, Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol said that the Perez family denied that they have a family member named Oliver. "We have no evidence on hand to support that report," said Querol, adding that they will dig deeper into the allegation.

Superintendent Jose Gentiles, SPD intelligence chief said they are now coordinating with the Makati City prosecutor’s office in filing obstruction of justice charges against Angeles.

"We wanted Estrelita to explain things like who was using the get-away vehicle at the time of the incident," Gentiles said.

After shooting Santiago and wounding six others, witnesses said the suspect sped away on board the vehicle owned by Estrelita’s daughter.

Police investigators traced the vehicle at the Angeles’ garage in Hillsborough Subdivision in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Gentiles strongly believed that Santiago’s gunman is very influential as the victim’s family choose to keep quiet about the incident. "The silence of Santiago’s family only indicates that the suspect enjoys considerable influence in our society," said Gentiles, noting that the Santiagos refused to cooperate in the investigation.

The Metro police chief appealed to the public to call 0917-5485819 for any information regarding "Oliver Perez."

"We will entertain all information that may lead to the solution of Santiago’s killing," said Querol.

Querol said those who knew Oliver Perez may also bring his picture to the Makati City police for positive identification by witnesses. — Non Alquitran