Navotas shooting suspect nabbed in hospital

MANILA, Philippines - A man who sought treatment for a gunshot wound at the Valenzuela Medical Center (VMC) was arrested Saturday night in connection with a shooting in Navotas Friday night that left two men dead and two others wounded.

Juanito Julian, 24, was brought to the VMC minutes after a shooting happened at the corner of M. Domingo and Buenaventura streets at around 10 p.m. Friday, Navotas police chief Senior Superintendent Conrado Gongon Jr. told The STAR.

He said King Philip Borja, 30, and Eliseo Tana, 52, were riding a motorcycle when they were waylaid. The two men died on the spot but not before shooting it out with their assailants.    

Apronio Andrino, 39, and his teenage son John Nikol, were in their house when the ambush occurred but stray bullets hit them.

Gongon said the victims, one of whom is in critical condition, were taken to the Tondo General Hospital.

During the investigation, the Navotas police received information that a man with a gunshot wound was admitted at the VMC.

Julian initially told investigators that he was shot by three unidentified men in Malabon City, but the lawmen verified no shooting occurred in the area at the time specified by Julian.

Gongon said they are looking at a turf war involving the illegal drug trade as a motive for the shooting.

Police officers are now posted at the VMC and waiting for the recovery of Julian, who will be charged with murder, Gongon said.