DOJ to press charges vs. Quiapo road rage suspect Vhon Tanto

The Department of Justice has decided to press charges in court against former Army reservist Vhon Tanto in relation to the traffic altercation in Quiapo, Manila on July 25 that killed a biker and injured a bystander.

Tanto's admission of the crimes and account of eyewitness Bryan Yu prompted the DOJ to find probable cause for murder and serious physical injuries against Tanto, who killed gaming assistant Mark Vincent Garalde and injured student Rosell Bondoc.

"[B]ased on the admission made by respondent Tanto, which contained details that only the person who committed the crime could have possibly known, it is pristine clear that he was the one who intentionally shot victim Garalde and
involuntarily injuring victim Bondoc," the resolution stated.

As a result, there is "no iota of doubt that there is probable cause to charge" Tanto, according to the resolution prepared by Assistant State Prosecutors Jeannette Dacpano and Robert Ong Jr.

The incident was captured by CCTV cameras posted along P. Casal Street, which showed Tanto, the Hyundai Eon driver, and Garalde having a fistfight before the shooting.

Garalde was killed on the spot after being shot four times, including in the face.

Bondoc, who was just throwing out garbage at the time, was hit by a stray bullet.

Police, citing witnesses, said the altercation between Tanto and Garalde occurred after the suspect's Hyundai Eon hit the bicycle rider along the same street.

Tanto, who was arrested by authorities on July 29, had apologized for the incident even as he claimed that Garalde's arrogant behavior provoked him into committing the crime. — RSJ/ALG, GMA News