PNP chief Dionardo Carlos has made available all police resources for the early solution of the shooting and wounding of re-electionist Infanta, Quezon Mayor Filipina Grace America last Sunday.
PNP public affairs office chief Brig. Gen. Roderick Alba said checkpoint operations were continuing as of yesterday in Infanta and surrounding areas “to possibly intercept suspects responsible in the shooting incident.”
America, who came from a church, was shot by a lone gunman shortly after she boarded her vehicle on Rizal St., Poblacion 1 in Infanta at around 11:15 a.m. last Sunday.
Quezon Provincial Police Director Col. Joel Villanueva said a closed-circuit television footage showed a lone gunman shooting America. He added probers were determining if the gunman had cohorts who served as lookouts.
America was brought to a hospital in Infanta town and was later transferred to a hospital in Metro Manila for treatment.
“Forensic investigators are now examining pieces of evidence gathered at the crime scene. We are confident that the evidence will produce leads that will assist police tracker teams in follow-up operations,” said Alba.
Alba said Carlos has ordered Calabarzon Regional Police Director Brig. Gen. Antonio Yarra to activate a Special Investigation Task Group “that will coordinate all efforts of police investigative units.”
“The CPNP (Chief PNP) is making available the personnel, capabilities and resources of National Support Units to assist in the investigation and pursuit operations for the early solution of this case,” Alba said.
America is seeking re-election in the May elections under the Nacionalista Party against Eriberto Escueta of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and Ednon Verano, an independent.
Quezon Gov. Danilo Suarez said he is “puzzled” why America was shot.
“I have two cities and 39 towns, and I don’t expect violence in my province, especially involving Grace, she has no enemy. I’m surprised. Why Grace?” said Suarez.
“That is a very peaceful community,” Suarez added, referring to the area where America was shot. “We’re puzzled why this happened. We are caught by surprise.”
Suarez said Escueta is a “perennial” opponent of America in elections. Suarez said Escueta is his friend and “off hand, I can say that he’s not a violent person.”
