NBI, MPD to probe prosecutor’s murder

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Manila Police District (MPD) will conduct a parallel probe on the fatal ambush of the city’s chief inquest prosecutor Jovencio Senados on Tuesday. 

MPD director Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda said they would investigate why the plate number that was used in the gunmen’s car was not registered to the sport utility vehicle (SUV) with license plate ABG-8133.

Police are also looking into the role of a red Toyota Innova that cut lane and slowed down the victim’s red Toyota Yaris at the corner of Quirino Avenue and Anakbayan street, before the SUV came up by the passenger seat.

Miranda said a hail of bullets were fired from the SUV and broke through the window of the front passenger seat where Senados was seated, closed-circuit television footage showed. His driver, Feljie Bagares, was unhurt.

Bagares, who is Senados’ nephew, said he noticed the Innova tailing them along the Skyway during their trip from Calamba, Laguna.

“That is their usual route. So it is possible that the assailants have established the pattern of the prosecutor’s trips,” Miranda said.

NBI National Capital Region director Cesar Bacani said his office had been assigned to conduct a parallel probe on the incident.

Probers said they would look into the cases handled by Senados to determine if the attack was job-related.

Among Senados’ job as chief inquest prosecutor was to order the release for further investigation of persons arrested for violating quarantine protocols.

Last month, he approved another inquest prosecutor’s order to release 17 protesters who rallied against the anti-terror law in Mendiola.