Still no breakthrough as slain Phl shooter laid to rest

MANILA, Philippines - Murdered Philippine shooting team member Michael Lontoc was buried yesterday as police investigators admitted they have not had any breakthroughs in the case.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Alan Purisima said they released a sketch of one of the four men who shot Lontoc, but “failed to establish” the identities of his killers.

“We are investigating all angles including reports that lawmen were involved in his case or that women had something to do with it,” he said. “But definitely, we have not established as yet the motive in the killing.”

Lontoc, 30, was buried at the La Loma cemetery in Quezon City a week after he was shot dead on Sept. 25. Investigators said they hope that Lontoc’s family will now cooperate in the probe.

“We have not talked to the wife and other members of the victim’s family as they begged off and requested that the investigation be withheld in the course of their bereavement and upon the advice of their counsel,” a police investigator said.

Based on the description given by a witness, one of the gunmen was described as a fair-skinned man who stood 5’3” tall, weighed 60 to 65 kilos, and was approximately 30 to 35 years old. He was wearing a dark red polo shirt and denim pants.

Purisima urged the public to inform the nearest police station if they spot the gunman, who is “armed and dangerous.”

Lontoc was driving home after participating in a shooting competition hosted by Malabon Vice Mayor Lenlen Oreta at the Malabon Practical Shooting Association range in Barangay Maysilo when he was ambushed by four men carrying handguns and a machine pistol.

The ambush was witnessed by his fellow shooters, who were behind him as he drove away from the firing range.