THE suspect in the road rage shooting incident in Antipolo City last Sunday that left four people injured claimed he was acting in self-defense, a police official said.
Antipolo City police chief Lt. Col. Ryan Manongdo said criminal charges are being readied against the suspect, 28-year-old businessman Kenneth Alajar Bautista.
“He’s insisting that what he did was self-defense. It’s already up to him to present his alibi before the prosecutor’s office or before the court,” Manongdo said of the suspect.
Bautista figured in a traffic altercation with a group of motorcycle riders along Marcos Highway in Barangay San Jose, Antipolo City, last Sunday afternoon. The suspect and at least three motorcycle riders later engaged in a fistfight.
Overpowered, police said the suspect pulled out a handgun from his sling bag and opened fire, causing injuries to four people, including his live-in partner.
The suspect fled on board his Toyota Fortuner sports utility vehicle but was arrested by policemen about 30 minutes later in Barangay Mayamot, also in Antipolo City.
One of the victims is in critical condition while two others are under observation at the hospital, police said. The fourth victim had already been discharged.
Calabarzon police director Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas said police investigators are filing a frustrated murder charge against the suspect. He said the case may be filed later yesterday.
Lucas said Bautista will also be charged with violation of the election gun ban.
He said that while the suspect had a license to possess a firearm, he had no gun ban exemption from the Commission on Elections.
Commenting on Bautista’s self-defense alibi, Lucas said: “We cannot say he cannot use that as his defense.
“He has a right to defend himself. It is up to him to defend himself, he has a lawyer. It’s not for us to teach the suspect to defend himself,” said Lucas.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil went to the Antipolo City police station yesterday and awarded Medalya ng Kagalingan to eight policemen for the swift arrest of the suspect.
“Our police officers’ quick response prevented further harm and ensured that the suspect was immediately brought to justice,” said Marbil.
“This is the kind of professionalism and dedication that the PNP upholds. We remain committed to protecting our communities and ensuring that justice prevails,” added Marbil.
Marbil said he wants a lifetime ban on gun holders who are found violating the election gun ban.
“That is what we want. This should not have happened, there is supposed to be a gun ban. That is why we’re surprised that this (shooting incident) happened,” said Marbil.
