Makati cops rule out foul play

The Makati City Police Department has ruled that no foul play took place in the death of the 24-year-old live-in partner of Vice-Mayor Ernesto Mercado.

In its final investigation report, the Makati Police through PO2 Juancho Ibis declared that Raquel Ambrosio did commit suicide on the night of April 24 in her condominium unit at the 28th floor of the Peak Tower in Makati City.

The report recommended that the "case be closed without prejudice of having it re-opened."

The conclusion of the investigation was based on the affidavit of Mercado as well as the testimonies of the maids of Ambrosio.

In his affidavit, Mercado admitted that he was with Ambrosio hours before she shot herself in the stomach. An argument between Mercado and Ambrosio took place over the use of a rest house in Bataan.

Mercado claimed that he left the building at around 10:30 p.m. to avoid an escalation of the quarrel.

The statement of Mercado was corroborated by the maids of Ambrosio who testified that the vice-mayor left the condo unit prior to the incident.

It was also revealed in the final report that the clean up of the crime scene and the removal of the gun used by Ambrosio to shoot herself was initiated by Mercado because no one was left in the condo unit.

The gun was surrendered two days after the incident by Ferdie Estrella, the chief of staff of Mercado.

Because the victim had no other known relatives, Mercado asked for an autopsy on the body of Ambrosio in order to determine the true cause of death.

The Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory revealed that the victim tested positive for gunpowder nitrates on her right hand, indicating that she fired the gun.

According to the Makati Police, the absence of any motive or evidence that could pinpoint a suspect who could have shot Ambrosio, led them to rule out foul play.

"With all the evidences on hand and taking the testimonies of witnesses into account... it can be deduced that the deceased was alone in their bedroom when she shot herself with her own gun, thus, she committed suicide," the report said.