P.1-M reward up for ‘killer’ tanod

MANILA, Philippines – The Makati City government is offering a P100,000 reward for information that would lead to the arrest of a barangay watchman who killed a man and a boy on New Year’s Eve, an official said yesterday.

Unverified reports indicate that Barangay Southside tanod Raymundo Liza, 40, is no longer in Metro Manila, Mayor Romulo Peña said. The same barangay is also being claimed by Taguig City as Barangay Pinagsama.

A drunken Liza arrived at the Barangay Southside house of Mark Angelo Diego, 7, as he and his family were celebrating at past midnight.

Initial investigation showed Liza drove up on a motorcycle and challenged John Edward Pascual, 25, to a fight. Pascual was a guest of the Diego family.

Police said Liza pulled out a .45 caliber pistol and shot Pascual several times. One of the bullets hit the boy, who was nearby.

Another guest, Israel Lava, was hit by a stray bullet during Liza’s attack. He is recovering at the Ospital ng Makati.

Liza fled on foot after the shooting and remains at large.

The case was initially investigated by the Makati police but the probe was later transferred to the Taguig police.

Superintendent Arthur Asis, Taguig police chief, said they will file murder charges against Liza and that they are coordinating with their counterparts in South Cotabato after learning that Liza is a native of Polomolok town.

Diego – who was shot in the head – died on Friday night after being comatose at the Ospital ng Makati. Pascual died from gunshots to the chest on Jan. 2 at the same hospital.