Murder raps filed vs MIAA gunman

Murder charges were filed at the Parañaque City Prosecutor’s Office Wednesday night against the gunman tagged in the ambush-slay of a Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) assistant general manager for finance last Sept. 9. Lilia Diaz.

Superintendent Ronald Estilles, Parañaque City police chief, said they filed for inquest for appropriate murder charges against Zaldi Dagting, 23, of C-M de Jesus street, Pasay City, after three witnesses positively identified him as the one who shot and killed the airport official last Sept. 9.

"The prosecutor found there was probable cause to file the case before a court because we were able to present witnesses who collaborated and pointed to Dagting as the gunman."

Yesterday, just before noon, the Western Police District (WPD), led by Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong, presented the suspect to Interior and Local Government Secretary Joey Lina and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane.

The PNP said it is turning over Dagting to the Southern Police District to dig deeper into the case. So far, the gun used in the ambush has not been found and the mastermind remains unidentified.

The suspect is reportedly a member of the Batang City Jail gang.

Officials of the WPD said they now know the motive behind the slay, but declined to elaborate.

The National Bureau of Investigation likewise said it knows both the motive and the mastermind.

MIAA General Manager Edgardo Manda commended the lawmen for a job well done.

"Now, Ms. Lilia Diaz can rest in peace," he said.

The P1.5-million reward money promised byManda would be given to the person who assisted lawmen in the apprehension of the suspect.

Ebdane expressed hope that with the media exposure on Dagting, they would be able to determine if he had been involved in other criminal activities. "He might have been involved in some other killings and maybe other witnesses might come out to testify." Velasco assured that they are already checking out his records.

Diaz was ambushed en route to NAIA last Sept. 9 at the corner of Venus street and E. Rodriguez Avenue, Brickstone Subdivision, Phase III, Barangay Moonwalk, Parañaque City.

The victim was being driven to work aboard a white Mitsubishi Exceed (XAY-781) and when the vehicle slowed down for a speed hump, the lone gunman approached the vehicle and fired a shot at Diaz’s head. The NAIA official died while undergoing treatment at the Olivarez General Hospital. – Evelyn Macairan, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Edu Punay, Nestor Etolle, Sandy Araneta