Road rage suspect seen in Boracay
The manhunt for a high roller accused of killing an information technology professional in a fit of road rage over the weekend has reached the shores of Boracay.
Fredison Atienza, reportedly a high-stakes poker player, was named by police as the gunman in the shooting of Anthony Mendoza over a traffic altercation in Quezon City on Saturday.
Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director, said yesterday they have operatives on Atienza’s tail after he was spotted at Boracay island in Aklan.
Eleazar said they will continue the manhunt for Atienza, who was spotted in Boracay after news broke out that he was identified by Mendoza’s brother, Michael, as the gunman.
Atienza allegedly flew to Boracay and checked in at a luxury hotel at Station 1 on Sunday, less than 24 hours after the shooting.
He supposedly had a return flight booked for Wednesday bound for Manila but he did not show up for the booking.
The alleged gunman also booked another “emergency” flight to Clark at 3 p.m., presumably to the territory of an influential family, sources said.
The QCPD chief said they have coordinated with the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center for the possible apprehension of the suspect.
The Department of Justice earlier released a lookout bulletin order against Atienza over the shooting.
Atienza was identified as the driver of the Toyota Land Cruiser (AHA-3558) who shot Mendoza after a brief altercation.
The Land Cruiser was also turned over to police yesterday by a “friend” of Atienza, identified as Alfamil Yap, upon the advice of Atienza’s lawyer Mark Petriarca.
Probers said the Mendoza brothers were riding a motorcycle and cut in front of a Land Cruiser as the driver was about to try to beat a red light at the intersection of D. Tuazon and Quezon Avenues.
The Land Cruiser nearly sideswiped the motorcycle and a heated altercation ensued between Atienza and Mendoza.
Atienza allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot Mendoza in the back of the head before fleeing towards Quezon Avenue-EDSA.
He was reported to own a .45 caliber pistol whose permit expired in May 2013 and a 9mm Glock pistol whose permit expired in May 2010.