QC shooting spree suspect slain

MANILA, Philippines - A man who was killed in a shootout in Mangatarem, Pangasinan last Saturday was identified as one of the suspects in the shooting spree in Quezon City last May that left four people dead, an official said Wednesday.

The slain suspect was confirmed to be Mohammad “Walad” Mautin by Quezon City police investigators, according to Pangasinan police officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Sterling Raymund Blanco.

Mautin and two unidentified companions in a Toyota Tamaraw FX (UKR-716) sped past a police checkpoint in Bugallon town at around 11:30 p.m. on July 17. One of the suspects lobbed a grenade at the pursuing policemen, wounding Police Officer 2 Ryan Cano.

Two hours later, police officers spotted the Tamaraw at a house owned by former Mangatarem councilor Raymundo Cruz. Mautin hurled a grenade at the policemen, but it did not explode.

Mautin was killed in the ensuing firefight while Cruz’s children, aged 12 and 13, were wounded. The Pangasinan police is investigating why the suspects’ vehicle was in Cruz’s house, Blanco said.

The Tamaraw’s owner was identified as Maieng Abdulazis, of Lingayen, who is facing a criminal case for frustrated murder and is out on bail.