Manhunt operation vs. QC road rage killer intensified – QCPD

The manhunt operation for Fredison Ong Atienza, the suspect in last weekend's killing of a motorist in Quezon City, have been intensified, QC Police District director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar said Friday.

“Tuloy pa rin ang ating paghahanap sa kanya at yung ating manhunting doon sa pamumuno ni Senior Inspector Elmer Monsalve,” Eleazar told radio dzBB.

“Sinamahan na ng mga elemento ng Boracay Tourist Assistance Center [si Monsalve] pati na rin 'yung ibang mga force multiplier nila upang puntahan 'yung mga areas na reported na nandoon siya at makipagtulungan sa iba't ibang mga establisyimento doon,” Eleazar said.

Atienza was reportedly spotted in Boracay, GMA News’ Cesar Apolinario said in a 24 Oras report on Thursday.

"Sighted siya sa area. I have been coordinating with the regional director of the [Police Regional Office]-6," Eleazar said in the report.

Atienza is the alleged driver of a Toyota Land Cruiser with plate number AHA 3454 who shot and killed motorcycle rider Anthony Mendoza at the corner of D. Tuazon Street and Quezon Avenue on Saturday afternoon following a traffic altercation.

Mendoza instantly died after he was shot in the head.

While they have yet to identify his exact whereabouts, Eleazar said it is highly possible that Atienza is still in Boracay.

“Kami po ay naniniwala, ganun rin po ang local police team namin doon, na malaki ang posibilidad na nandoon pa rin siya dahil sa mga circumstances that lead to our belief na nandun siya,” he said.

Eleazar noted that Atienza did not take the two airplane trips he booked --- one to Clark on Tuesday and back to Manila on Wednesday.

Companions back in Manila

Meanwhile, Eleazar said the two women who were reportedly with Atienza in Boracay have returned to Manila.

Atienza was not with them when they came back, he said.

“Nakaalis na po 'yun at nakita naman natin kung saan sila sumakay. At sa pagbalik nila sa Manila ay hindi nila kasama sa flight itong suspek,” he said.

Eleazar said they are looking at other possibilities through which Atienza can escape the island, which is through sea.

With this, he urged the public to cooperate with them in identifying Atienza’s whereabouts.

“Responsibilidad ng isang mamamayan na kapag alam po nila na ang isang tao ay isang suspek sa isang krimen, nararapat po na ito ay ipagbigay-alam at hindi ikupkop. Pag-aralan po natin kasi 'yung harboring suspect ay siguradong may katapat na kaparusahan,” he said.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has instructed immigration personnel to keep a close watch of Atienza in case he tries to leave the country. — Erwin Colcol/RSJ, GMA News