Garalde did not have to die – Estrada
The killing of cyclist Mark Vincent Garalde could have been prevented had onlookers broken up the fistfight between him and the suspect, Vhon Tanto, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said.
Estrada said he learned from police investigators that several men were even cheering as Garalde and Vhon Tanto were exchanging blows in the street in Quiapo last Monday.
The fight ended with Tanto shooting Garalde with his pistol.
“This would not have gone into a shooting fight if the people who were watching and cheering had tried to intervene and stop it and separated the two," Estrada said. “Better yet, they should have called the police or the nearby barangay.”
An argument between Geralde and Tanto escalated into a brawl.
The incident was recorded by a security camera and the video of the encounter went viral on social media.
On Sunday, the city government announced it will install more security cameras to monitor the streets and speed up the investigation of cases like the killing of Garalde.
While the video footage was a big help, Estrada said it would have been better if those onlookers immediately pacified the Garalde and Tanto.
“President Duterte is right in encouraging people to do citizen’s arrest because all of us are responsible for each other as patriotic Filipino citizens. We can spend billions in putting up security systems such as CCTVs for crime prevention but we, as citizens, should be more conscientious in preventing or reporting criminality,” Estrada said as he encourage Manileños to be more conscientious in preventing criminality.
“Let us do our part. Who knows, one day it will be our own loved ones who will be the victims of such crime,” he said.
Estrada also praised the Army’s Intelligence and Security Group, 9th Infantry Division, and the town police of Milagros, Masbate, for capturing Tanto, who has a ₱200,000 bounty on his head.
Estrada said the city government will pursue the installation of more security cameras and continue equipping the barangays and the city police for anti-crime operations.
Early this month, Estrada released about ₱20 million to help the city’s 896 barangays fight drugs and crime. The bulk of the funds will go to the acquisition of more CCTVs.
Tanto, an Army reservist, was arrested last Friday following a two-day manhunt. He faces murder charges aggravated by illegal possession of firearms and treachery.
Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Martin Andanar said the case Tanto, would go through due process. (With a report from Genalyn D. Kabiling)