The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) announced on Friday, July 14, that the second suspect in connection with the shooting incident on June 29 on photojournalist Rene Joshua Abiad and his family members in Quezon City is now in their custody.
Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III, the head of the QCPD, reported that the suspect, known by the alias "Mata" was apprehended Thursday night at a bus terminal in Metro Manila after arriving from the province.
"I am happy to announce that the second personality involved na mina-manhunt natin, si alyas Mata, ay nasa kustodiya na natin. Nahuli natin siya kagabi," Torre told reporters.
According to him, Mata allegedly drove the pink motorcycle that was tailed by the gunmen's vehicle during the shooting event.
He claimed that Mata was the driver of the pink motorcycle that the gunman’s vehicle was following during the shooting.
On Thursday, Torre stated that all six or seven individuals who are still at large—including the accused mastermind, a former barangay chairman in Pasay City—have already been identified via leads.
According to Torre, the claimed mastermind, going by the alias "Nanad" allegedly hired Legazpi's gang to ambush Abiad, who managed to escape the attack.
He claims that the former barangay chairman has a history of being detained for possession of illegal drugs.
On June 29, Abiad was traveling in a car with some family members when a car got in their way and gunmen started shooting while a motorcycle rider was seen acting as a lookout.
The nephew of Abiad, age 4, was one of the passengers who also died a few days after being shot in the head.
