The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Tuesday that it has identified persons of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of a 63-year-old House of Representatives employee, who was gunned down by unidentified assailants during his daughter’s birthday celebration in Quezon City over the weekend.
PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said investigators are pursuing a lead and a manhunt operation is currently underway.
“Investigation is ongoing, manhunt operation is ongoing, and we hope to resolve this case as soon as possible,” Torre told reporters.
He also noted that a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) has been established to concentrate efforts on resolving the case.
Torre declined to provide additional details about the ongoing investigation.
Initial reports revealed that two unidentified gunmen entered a private venue where the victim was attending his 7-year-old daughter’s birthday party and shot him in the head at close range. The attackers fled the scene on a motorcycle, firing at the subdivision’s guard house as they escaped.
Lt. Col. Romil Avenido, commander of the Batasan Police Station, said the killing appeared to be premeditated.
The victim was immediately brought to a hospital but was pronounced dead by attending medical staff.