NBI starts own probe of LTO exec’s murder

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is conducting its own probe of the murder of an official of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) last month.

In a letter to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Rommel Francisco Marbil, the NBI asked for copies of documents related to the killing of Mercedita Gutierrez, 64, who headed the LTO’s registration division.

Among the documents the NBI requested are copies of the police blotter, police report, sworn statements of witnesses, scene of the crime operation report, photographs of the crime scene, crime sketch and ballistics report gathered by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

Also included in the request were closed-circuit television (CCTV) footages obtained by investigators.

Gutierrez was driving her Hyundai Starex van when she was shot along a road in Barangay Pinyahan last May 24. She died in a hospital.

The alleged gunman, Danny Bulado, was apprehended by police in a follow-up operation in Barangay Batasan Hills.

The QCPD filed a charge of murder against Bulado before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office.

It is unclear why the NBI is conducting a separate investigation on Gutierrez’s murder.

Col. Jean Fajardo, the chief information officer of the Philippine National Police, earlier said four witnesses identified the suspect as the alleged gunman.

But in an interview aired over dwPM, Bulado denied that he killed Gutierrez.

“Inosente po ako sa krimen (I am innocent of the crime),” he said.

Police obtained leads on Bulado after he reportedly dropped a copy of an official receipt/certificate of registration of the motorcycle he allegedly used during the attack on Gutierrez at the scene of the shooting.