QC road rage victim laid to rest

MANILA, Philippines - The information technology professional allegedly killed by a high-stakes poker player in a road rage incident in Quezon City was buried yesterday.

The family of Anthony Mendoza, 27, appealed to President Duterte for justice as his alleged killer, Fredison Atienza, 46, remains at large.

Mendoza was buried at the Loyola Gardens in Antipolo City.

In a post on Facebook, Mendoza’s mother Ester asked the President and Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa to step up the manhunt for Atienza.

“I am asking President Duterte and PNP chief Dela Rosa to serve justice to my son who was killed due to a simple traffic row,” Ester said in her Facebook post.

She also urged Atienza to surrender as the family would not stop seeking justice for Mendoza.

Back from Boracay

Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director, confirmed that Atienza has returned to Manila from Boracay where he was seen last week.

Atienza allegedly flew to Boracay and checked into a luxury hotel less than 24 hours after shooting Mendoza during a traffic altercation at the corner of D. Tuazon street and Quezon Avenue in Barangay Doña Josefa on Feb. 25.

“He has returned to Manila. He could have possibly gotten anywhere by land. But he is still in the country,” Eleazar said in a report by GMA News.

Eleazar said Atienza could have traveled by land to elude arrest.

The Department of Justice has issued an immigration lookout order against Atienza.

Eleazar said they could only monitor Atienza pending the issuance of a warrant for his arrest.

Others, however, say homicide suspect can be apprehended any time even without a court warrant.

Eleazar said they could not apprehend Atienza without an arrest order from the court.

The QCPD filed murder charges against the suspect before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office on Friday night.

Eleazar said the prosecutor’s office should resolve the case before elevating it to the court, which will issue the arrest warrant.

“We are confident that we can eventually secure a warrant for his arrest,” Eleazar said.

He said the QCPD has evidence and witnesses that would compel the court to issue a warrant for Atienza’s arrest.

Atienza was identified by Mendoza’s brother, Michael, as the driver of the Toyota Land Cruiser (AHA-3458) who shot the victim following an altercation.

The suspect reportedly owns a .45-caliber pistol and  a 9mm Glock pistol whose permits expired in 2013 and 2010, respectively.