'Woman led attack on DPWH executive'

MANILA, Philippines - Police have launched a manhunt against a woman who reportedly led the ambush on Department of Public Works (DPWH) Undersecretary Ramon Aquino last Wednesday, Manila Police District director and Task Force Aquino commander Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said yesterday.

“The woman orchestrated the ambush. Our witnesses observed a woman talking to the gunmen and the drivers of get-away motorcycles as early as 11 a.m. on the day of the ambush. We have counted at least five persons, including the woman, who participated in the ambush,” Rosales said.

Task Force Aquino has also released sketches of the two gunmen.

Rosales said the arrival of an armored van at a building beside the DPWH may have distracted the attackers, who fled after firing only three shots at Aquino’s car.

“It was providential that an armored car arrived exactly at the time of the ambush, sending the gunmen scampering for fear of an encounter (with) the heavily armed guards of the armored van. The suspects were not able to finish off their target,” Rosales said.

Rosales said Task Force Aquino – composed of agents of the National Bureau of Investigation and the MPD’s intelligence group, criminal intelligence and detection unit and the crime scene investigators – is slowly making headway in solving the failed ambush.

Members of the task force have spoken with Aquino’s family and his associates and were able to gather enough to establish the motive behind the ambush. Rosales refused to divulge any information, which he said may jeopardize the manhunt.

“I assure you that we are nearing the solution of the case,” he told The STAR.

Rosales said he already talked with Aquino, who furnished him vital information that can lead to the apprehension of the suspects.

Two men fired upon Aquino, undersecretary for operations and chief of staff of Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, as he was leaving the DPWH main office in a black Toyota Fortuner at around 3:15 p.m. He was accompanied by driver Victor Salonga and bodyguard Antonio Clareta.

Aquino, who was sitting in the back passenger seat, was hit in the body, while Clareta was shot in the face. The two were rushed to the Manila Doctors Hospital. Salonga was grazed by a bullet on the cheek.