Manhunt on for 5 drug suspects’ killers

MANILA, Philippines - At least eight police teams were dispatched yesterday to various areas of Metro Manila and neighboring provinces to go after the men who killed five drug suspects in Makati City Wednesday.

“We have very good leads on the case,” National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Leonardo Espina said.

Investigators are eyeing shortchanging in illegal drug transactions as a motive for the killing of Andrew Lloyd Cruz, 23; Chuckie Dee Cruz and his brother, Francisco, 20; Raymart Saraza; and Rogelio Diala, 22, all residing at 346 Magtibay street in Pasay City.

According to Espina, three police teams each were dispatched by the Pasay City and Makati City police while two teams came from the NCRPO’s Regional Police Intelligence and Operating Unit (RPIOU).

Since the killers fled toward Pasay City, Espina ordered city police chief Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Llorca to be the lead investigator of the case. Makati City police chief Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban will assist in the investigation and file the cases against the suspects while the RPIOU will gather intelligence on the killers.

RPIOU chief Superintendent Ronald Lee said all the five victims have pending drug cases, and the Cruz brothers recently posted bail.

Earlier reports state that the victims had gone drinking at a videoke bar and were on their way home when men on a motorcycle shot at them. Witnesses said one of the men approached the fallen victims and shot each of them in the head.

After making sure all of the victims were dead, the attackers sped toward Libertad street in Pasay City.

Investigators said all of the attackers bore “STB” tattoos on their necks. Espina said he does not know what the acronym means since it is the first time he encountered it.