Road rage ends in shooting spree in Antipolo

MANILA, Philippines — A road rage altercation turned violent along Marcos Highway in Barangay San Jose in Antipolo, Rizal yesterday, leaving four people wounded after one of the drivers fired a pistol during the confrontation.

The suspect – identified as alias Kenneth, 28, a businessman – attempted to escape in a black Toyota Fortuner sport utility vehicle but was intercepted by Antipolo police at a border checkpoint in Masinag in Barangay Mayamot.

Lt. Col. Ryan Lopez Manongdo, acting Antipolo police chief, said initial investigation showed that an argument between the suspect and the victims escalated at 5 p.m. in front of a coffee shop in Sitio Calumpang.

This reportedly led Kenneth to draw a gun and open fire before fleeing the scene.

Investigators have yet to establish what caused the attack.

Manongdo identified the victims by the aliases Peter, a 52-year-old businessman who was shot in the head; Patrick, a 22-year-old college student who was hit in the right arm, and Davis, 29, who was struck in the right chest while trying to pacify the altercation.

The suspect’s wife, who is unidentified, reportedly suffered gunshot wounds in her left feet.

All four were rushed to a hospital for treatment.

Manongdo said Kenneth’s arrest followed a coordinated hot pursuit operation, which involved nearby police units.

Col. Felipe Maraggun, director of the Rizal Provincial Police Office, said in an interview over dzBB that Kenneth did not have a Commission on Elections certificate of authority to carry a firearm, which violates the Comelec-imposed gun ban.