(Update) Police arrest suspect in Makati road rage shooting

MANILA, Philippines – Police have arrested the suspect in a road rage shooting that caused tension in Makati City on Tuesday. GMA News said the suspect was identified by police only as Johnny Cruz. Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, Makati City Police chief, was quoted in the report as saying the suspect was taken into custody two hours after he allegedly fired a handgun five times into the air along H.V. Dela Costa Street, following an altercation with a taxicab driver. Police said the suspect, who was driving a black Ford Expedition with plate number EXP-703, apparently fired the gun to ward of the unnamed cab driver who was pursuing him. The cab driver told police he pursued the sport utility vehicle to get its plate number because the suspect tried to run away after hitting his car and another taxicab near the Saudi Arabian Embassy. According to the television report, the suspect denied firing a gun and blamed the cab driver instead. Police believed that the suspect was under the influence of liquor when the incident happened, said the report. Earlier radio reports said the shooting caused tension among bystanders and office workers nearby, but no injuries were reported. One of the bullets fired from the suspect’s handgun was found to have landed on the third floor of the nearby Planters’ Bank building. The bank's security guards complained to police that the shooter pointed his gun at them when they rushed to inspect the area where they heard gunshots, thinking there was a holdup incident. In an interview with another radio station, Senior Superintendent Cruz described the suspect as a big-time businessman. Makati police also arrested a security guard in one building after the guard blocked a police team headed by Superintendent Manny Santos from going after the suspect. - GMANews.TV