Solve Prosecutor Senados’ killing, Mayor Isko orders Manila police

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno ordered the Manila Police District (MPD) to leave no stone unturned in bringing to justice the suspects behind the gruesome killing of

Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Jovencio Senados.

Moreno, who strongly condemned the killing, said the broad daylight attack on

Senados is an affront to the institution where he belonged and to the right of the people of Manila to a peaceful and orderly way of life, amid the anxieties brought about by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

In his directive to Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda, MPD director, the mayor said special focus must be given to solving the slay case or it will send the wrong message for members of the judiciary in general, noting reports that Senados is just one of the many who have been slain from the said branch of government and that the prosecutor was on his way to work when the ambush took place.

“The brazenness with which the murder was carried out shows that the perpetrators have no respect whatsoever to the institutions in place and this should not go unpunished,” Moreno stressed, as he his condolences to the victim's family.

Moreno had been giving incentives to the police for every fugitive from justice they catch, with the purpose of preventing criminal elements from mingling with peace-loving citizens and preying on them.

In doing so, the mayor said he would not want the law-abiding residents to get caught in the crossfire of the criminal elements and the authorities or their enemies hunting them down.

Meanwhile, Miranda reported that based on the mayor’s orders, a team had been formed to crack down on the suspects. He said the prosecutor’s nephew, who was driving the vehicle, already noticed a red vehicle tailing them as they cruised along the Skyway. They had come from Calamba, Laguna, where they both reside.

Miranda said that the victim had been “patterned” as he follows the same kind of schedule and route everyday.

It was also found out that the license plate of the other car involved, a black SUV from where an occupant fired at the victim, was registered to

another car.

The police is also reviewing the cases that have been handled by Senados and those that are pending.

Senados, 61, died instantly while his nephew was unharmed, when they were attacked while cruising along the westbound lane of Quirino Avenue.

The red vehicle reportedly swerved and blocked their path at 10:52 a.m. while the black SUV overtook them at the right portion of the victim’s car. One of the suspects then slightly opened the window and fired successively at the victim, using a firearm of still unknown caliber.

The suspects’ two vehicles then sped off toward the westbound lane of Quirino Avenue going to Taft Avenue.

It was learned that among the latest controversial cases handled by Senados was last year’s murder of Batuan, Masbate Vice Mayor Charlie Yuson III on Vito Cruz Street in Sampaloc, Manila.