2 brothers linked to policewoman’s ambush shot; 1 dead
Two brothers considered by police as “persons of interest” in the fatal ambush of a policewoman in Manila were shot by motorcycle-riding assailants, killing one of them on Monday night.
Jefferson Li, 34, was declared dead on arrival at the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center.
Li’s younger brother, Gerard, 24, was wounded in the attack and taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.
Prior to this, the Li brothers surfaced at the Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters to deny involvement in the killing of Police Officer 1 Jorsan Marie Alafriz.
Authorities tagged Gerard as among the alleged top drug personalities in Sta. Cruz and Tondo.
Reports said the Li brothers were on a motorcycle at the corner of Escolta street and Plaza Sta. Cruz when the assailants opened fire.
Magdaleno Futol, 40, a vendor, was hit by a stray bullet. He was rushed to the Mary Chiles Hospital for treatment.
Accompanied by their mother Susana, the Li siblings showed up at the MPD homicide unit after learning that they were linked to the murder of Alafriz.
Alafriz was driving her Mitsubishi Mirage (NP 9583) on her way to the Barbosa Police Community Precinct (PCP) in Quiapo when two men on a motorcycle waylaid her at around 10 p.m. on Sunday.
Witnesses said the suspects walked toward Alafriz’s car and fired.
An official of the MPD said they were looking into illegal drugs as a possible motive for the killing as Alafriz provided information about drug personalities in Sta. Cruz.
The official said Alafriz was responsible for the arrest of a drug peddler who had gone big-time.
MPD honors Alafriz
Flags at the MPD headquarters along United Nations Avenue and 11 police stations in the city were flown at half- mast yesterday in honor of Alafriz.
MPD directorial staff chief Senior Superintendent Bartolome Bustamante said Alafriz would be given a posthumous award.
The remains of Alafriz were brought to the MPD chapel yesterday afternoon.
Alafriz, who was assigned with the Barbosa PCP for nine months, was described by her colleagues as an anti- drug crusader.