Manila cops find bullet-riddled, bloody van

Police are puzzled over the identity of the passengers of a bullet-riddled van abandoned in Sta. Cruz, Manila yesterday.

A 1995 blue Nissan Vanette (WKK-955) was reported by residents who discovered the vehicle at the corner of Quiricada and Alvarado streets in Sta. Cruz early morning yesterday.

The windshield had been shattered by bullets, while the back and sides of the vehicle were riddled with bullet holes. Bloodstains were also noted inside the vehicle, according to Senior Police Officer 4 Celso Tan.

“There was no incident report of encounter in Manila. Definitely the firing at the vehicle happened outside the jurisdiction of Manila,” said Inspector Edgar Ronquillo, chief of the Manila Police District’s anti-carjacking section.

The passengers of the van could have abandoned the vehicle and escaped, Ronquillo said, but noted that “definitely, there was an injured person as indicated by the presence of bloodstains.”

Police are currently checking hospitals if any injured person was admitted for gunshot wounds.

Tan said the van bore a fake license plate.

“All license plates beginning with the letter ‘W’ are for brand-new car models,” he said.

Verification made at the Land Transportation Office showed the van’s plate number is registered to a white Mitsubishi L-300 van issued to Purity Printer Inc. in Tondo. – Nestor Etolle