Motorcycle rider sets SUV on fire in QC

A parked sports utility vehicle (SUV) was set on fire by a motorcycle rider in Barangay Maharlika in Quezon City at past midnight on Wednesday. 

According to Oscar Oida’s report in “24 Oras” on Thursday, CCTV footage showed a man on a motorcycle suddenly stopping beside the parked vehicle.

He was seen stuffing a rag and then dousing the SUV's hood with an unknown liquid before setting it on fire.

The suspect sped away on his motorcycle as the SUV’s front portion was left ablaze.

The family that owned the car woke up to the sight of their burning vehicle.

“Nagpapanic na yung mga tao sa bahay. Nakita ko na lang po sa bintana, kasi yung kwarto ko po nakaharap po sa kotse. Nakita ko na lang po ang laki ng sunog,” said Bianca Castañeda. 

(The people in the house were already panicking. I just glimpsed it through the window, because my room is facing the car. I just saw how big the fire already was.) 

Firefighters immediately responded to the scene to put out the fire, but the SUV’s front portion was already torched.

The family said they were clueless as to who could be behind the incident.

“Wala naman po kaming kaaway. Wala naman kaming maisip kung sinong pwedeng gumawa kasi tahimik naman po kami. And wala naman po kaming nakakaaway sa daan na posible,” said Castañeda, adding that they were traumatized and fearful for their safety. 

(We don’t have any enemies. We can’t think of anyone who could do such a thing because we have a quiet life. And we didn’t have any altercation on the road that could be the possible motive for this.) 

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said it is conducting an in-depth investigation to identify the culprit.

“We are conducting an in-depth investigation. Nagsasagawa na rin yung ating mga tracker team sa pagre-review ng mga CCTV footage sa lugar… Para matukoy ang suspect at the same time yung kanyang sinakyang motorsiklo,” said QCPD spokesperson Police Captain Febie Madrid. 

(We are conducting an in-depth investigation. Our tracker teams are also reviewing the CCTV footage in the area... To identify the suspect and at the same time the motorcycle he used.) 

The QCPD official also assured the family that they are ready to provide them with security following the incident. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA Integrated News