Arch-killer ID'd

Suspect is ex-business partner

THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has launched a manhunt operation against a suspect who shot dead an architect in Davao City Saturday.

The victim was identified as John Riz Batuto Fortuna, 43, of Door B, RDL Apartment, Vinzon St., in brgy. 14-B, while the suspect was identified as Rosam Giger Jr., an engineer and a resident of Laverna Hills in Buhangin.

Murder charges have been filed against Giger yesterday afternoon, police said.

DCPO spokesperson Sr. Insp. Milgrace Driz said the suspect reportedly called the Sta. Ana police two hours after the incident, expressing his willingness to surrender, but did not appear.

“Padayon na ang operation para madakpan ning suspect (The manhunt operation is now ongoing to arrest the suspect),” Driz said in a phone interview with Sun.Star Davao.

Driz said they are looking at personal grudge angle since the victim owed the suspect some P2 million. The two used to be business partners.

The shooting incident took place in front of the victim’s apartment at around 8 a.m.

Driz urged the suspect to surrender to the police.

“Better na mu-surrender na lang yung suspect para hindi na lumaki pa ang kaso laban sa kanya,” she said.

“I’m sure nandito pa yun sa Davao City,” Driz added.

Based on initial investigation conducted by Sta. Ana police, the suspect immediately left the crime scene and boarded a tricycle heading to Cabaguio Avenue.

Police recovered eight fired cartridges believed to be from 9mm caliber which were turned over to the Regional Crime Laboratory Office (RCLO) 11 for ballistic examination.

The victim succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of his body. KRP