TRAFFIC OFFENSE LEADS TO KILLING
Man guns down enforcer over ₱300 violation
A minor traffic violation led to the killing of a traffic enforcer Tuesday afternoon in Pasay City and a nationwide manhunt of the suspect and his wife.
A minor traffic violation led to the killing of a traffic enforcer Tuesday afternoon in Pasay City and a nationwide manhunt for the suspect and his wife.
The suspect, identified as Nashro Bagindulo, shot dead Noel Lunas, 46, of the Pasay City Traffic Management Office who tried to apprehend him at 4:30 p.m. near a Muslim mosque along Park Avenue Extension, Brgy. 147, Zone 16.
In a report filed by Senior Police Officer (SPO) 4 Allan Valdez and SPO2 Joel Landicho, Bagindulo shot Lunas in the head, chest and armpit before he and his wife, Norhinia Sema, abandoned their vehicle, a Toyota Innova (UHQ 311), in the middle of the street and fled on foot.
Closed circuit television (CCTV) footages near the area caught the couple fleeing the crime scene and led to their identification.
A water bill receipt in the name of Sema was found inside the car and police immediately proceeded to the address indicated in the receipt.
Police operatives went to Barangay Santiago in General Trias where they were met by the couple’s three children – Johari Dipatuan, 15, and his half-brothers Nassif Mangundao, 9, and Nawaf Mangundao, 7.
After being shown copies of the CCTV footage, the kids positively identified them as their parents who, they said, left Monday and have not returned.
Chief Inspector Rolando Baula, Pasay police head investigator, said the suspect was being flagged for road obstruction, a minor offense that carries a ₱300 fine.
Baula said then suspect occupied the inner lane at EDSA corner Roxas Boulevard fronting San Juan De Dios Hospital, catching the attention of traffic enforcers.
“Huhulihin sana sila dahil sa road obstruction dahil kinain nila ‘yung inner lane. Nag-attempt sila magovertake sa isang sasakyan pero hindi sila pinagbigyan kaya ‘yung mga sasakyan sa likod nila, busina ng busina,” Baula narrated.
Joey De Chavez, a traffic enforcer, tried to apprehend Bagindulo who refused to roll down his car window and sped off towards EDSA-Harrison Street, according to Baula.
“Doon na humarurot ‘yung suspek, tinakbuhan si De Chavez. Ni-radyo niya ngayon kay Lunas na ayun nga, may tumakas sa kanya tapos nakita naman ng biktima kaya hinabol niya,” Baula added.
Lunas, who was manning his post at the southbound lane of EDSA-Roxas Boulevard, rode his motorcycle and caught up with the Toyota Innova.
CCTV footages saw Bagindulo get of his car and shot Lunas thrice.
Senior Supt. Lawrence Coop, Pasay police chief, appealed to the public for information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect.