Manhunt launched for NBI agent’s killers

Police launched a manhunt yesterday for two brothers who allegedly shot dead a confidential agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Tondo, Manila last Friday.

The two brothers, identified as Hermin and Ronaldo de Guzman, were positively identified by Michelle Malabuyoc, as among five barangay tanods who mauled and shot Juanito Chua, 46, along Juan Nolasco Street, Tondo.

The victim sustained two gunshot wounds in the body and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Mary Johnston Hospital. Also rushed at the same hospital was the victim’s brother Philip, 30, who was beaten by the suspects.

Case Investigator SPO2 Virgo Villareal said that at 1 a.m. Friday, the Chua brothers and Malabuyoc were on board a car when they were accosted by the De Guzman brothers and three barangay tanods for allegedly creating trouble in the area.

Chua explained that he and his girlfriend Malabuyoc were simply having a spat, before presenting his NBI identification card.

Malabuyoc said the De Guzman brothers and the tanods started hitting Juanito with their truncheons. One of the brothers, Ronaldo, pulled out a gun and shot Chua several times.

The victim’s brother was also hit with truncheons but managed to drive away from the scene.

One of the tanods, identified as Eusebio Manalang, 42, was hit by a stray bullet in the foot and is now confined at the National Orthopedic Hospital.

Villareal said Manalang will be included in the murder and physical injury charges after he being positively identified by Malabuyoc as one of the persons who mauled Chua.

Police said the victim, who reportedly carried a gun, failed to draw his firearm. The gun is now missing.

Villareal also lamented the failure of the barangay chairman in Nolasco, Tondo to present his tanods to police for investigation. "Apparently all the tanods in that barangay have gone into hiding. They have to surface to clear their names or be included in the charges," Villareal said. – Nestor Etolle