Charges filed vs suspect in Peek slay try

MANILA, Philippines - Police have filed frustrated murder charges against a suspect in the shooting of Talk N’ Text basketball player Ali Peek in Mandaluyong City last Nov. 7.

Edgardo Vita of Barangay Sta. Lucia, Pasig City was charged before the Mandaluyong City prosecutor’s office last Dec. 15.

“Once we have arrested Vita, we would place him under tactical interrogation to determine the motive behind Peek’s slay try,” a police official said.

Peek had just emerged from the RFM gym at the corner of Sheridan and Pioneer streets at around 7:15 p.m. last Nov. 7 when shot by a lone gunman. Peek sustained a gunshot wound in the left nape.

A police investigator of the Mandaluyong City police said an informant, who is after the P500,000 reward offered by businessman Manny Pangilinan for anyone who could provide information leading to the arrest of the suspect, tipped them off of Vita’s whereabouts.

“We will arrest him as soon as the arrest warrant is out,” the police official said, adding that they are coordinating with various government agencies to determine whether Vita is a gun-for-hire.