MPD releases 'facial composites' of PUP exec's killers

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Police District (MPD) officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Alex Gutierrez released yesterday the facial composites – computer-generated images – of the gunman and his accomplice in the murder of Polytechnic University of the Philippines vice president Augustus Cezar.

“The two… were seen by witnesses at the ambush site moments before the slaying took place. They were seen walking back and forth at the corner of Pureza street and Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard in Sta. Mesa waiting for someone while their motorcycle was parked nearby,” Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) August commander Senior Superintendent Fidel Posadas said.

He described the gunman as at least 5’3” tall, between 35 and 40 years old, lightly built and with dark complexion. The other man, who drove the getaway motorcycle, was described as at least 5’10” tall, between 35 and 40 years old, heavy, and with light complexion.

Homicide investigators, led by Senior Inspector Joey de Ocampo, have so far failed to catch the two men. “The suspects are professional hit men who studied the usual routine of the victim before the ambush. Witnesses observed that the suspects acted casually and without hesitation in staging the ambush,” De Ocampo told The STAR.

He said his men have focused their investigation on the ongoing rift among PUP officials. “But I would like to make it clear that no one among them is a suspect. We just want to dig deeper into possible motive for the ambush slay,” he said.

Investigators said Cezar’s name was mentioned in a complaint filed by outgoing PUP president Dante Guevarra against Commission on Higher Education chair Patricia Licuanan.

“I have no reason to even think of harming him,” De Ocampo quoted Guevarra as telling him. However, Guevarra admitted his feeling was hurt when Cezar shifted his loyalty to the new PUP officer-in-charge Estelita de la Rosa. It was De la Rosa who appointed Cezar as executive director of PUP campuses in place of a protégé of Guevarra, who has questioned the legality of the appointment at a Manila court.      

De Ocampo said any information on the killers may be relayed at the MPD homicide section office at telephone number 524-4311.