Caloocan slay try suspects were hired guns

MANILA, Philippines - The gunmen in the foiled slay attempt of a Caloocan City councilor’s brother and nephew Monday were hired assassins, the police said yesterday.

“They are hired guns but not professionals,” Chief Inspector Marcelo Mariano, chief of the Caloocan City police intelligence and investigation branch, told The STAR.

Mariano, however, said they have yet to ascertain the suspects’ motive for trying to kill Walter Abel, 44, younger brother of Councilor Chito Abel, and his son, James, 12.

“Both victims are now in stable condition in a hospital but their family begged off for more queries but they promised to cooperate later. The victims are still traumatized,” Mariano said.

Mayor Enrico Echiverri, meanwhile, advised city police chief Senior Superintendent Jude Santos to “dig deeper” into the case but make their investigation “slow but sure.”

Echiverri also urged the victims and their kin to “fully cooperate” with the police in their investigation “for the early resolution of the case.”

The victims were alighting from their Isuzu Crosswind in front of their house on Ma. Clara street in 11th Avenue when two motorcycle-riding gunmen shot them at around 12:15 p.m.   – Pete Laude