NCRPO has lead on German's slay

MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Regional Police Office said it has a “good lead” in the killing Thursday of a German working for the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City.

NCRPO director Roberto Rosales said they expect to arrest the suspects in the killing of Sergio Mazza, 38, assistant executive food and beverage manager of the hotel “any time soon.”

“We have a good lead. But I cannot reveal it right now for fear that it would jeopardize ongoing police operations to get the suspects,” said Rosales in an interview.

The NCRPO chief said investigators from the Makati City police are now conducting a background investigation on Mazza, which he is hoping would help them identify and pin down the assailant.

Rosales said the Makati City police under Senior Superintendent Froilan Bonifacio is working around the clock to solve Mazza’s case. “This case will be solved in due time,” he told The STAR.

Earlier, Bonifacio said they have three witnesses claming that a lone gunman shot Mazza with a .22 caliber pistol at the corner of de la Rosa and Perea Streets in Makati City at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Mazza was hit twice in the face while a third bullet was recovered at the crime scene.

Bonifacio initially ruled out robbery as the motive because the victim’s belongings, including the P20,000 in his wallet and BlackBerry mobile phone, were untouched.

“We are still trying to establish the motive. Maybe it involves his personal life,” he said. Police investigators said they are looking into a possible love triangle.

Additional information revealed that the suspect in the killing of Mazza had a woman companion, Bonifacio said yesterday.

Bonifacio said witnesses told them that the suspect, who was clad in jacket and a bull cap could be a professional hired killer.

“He could be a gun for hire because he knew what to do and he knew that there is a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera in the area. The witnesses said that the suspect immediately rode in a waiting taxi where a woman was also on board. He (suspect) even checked whether he had killed the victim before boarding the white taxi,” Bonifacio said.

Bonifacio said they are also coordinating with the adjacent business establishments along the corner of De la Rosa and Perea streets for possible additional leads. “We are also checking the CCTV cameras in the area that may have taken photo of the suspect while committing the crime for his immediate identity. We are also coordinating with the management of Shangri-La Hotel,” Bonifacio said.

Mazza, 38, was shot at close range at about 7:30 a.m., while walking to work from his apartment close to the hotel.

Bonifacio said Mazza suffered two gunshot wounds in the face and died immediately.