Navotas murder suspects arrested; illegal drugs possible motive

The police arrested two suspects involved in a noontime murder last Wednesday following a successful follow-up operation.

According to Navotas City Police Chief Colonel Mario Cortes, the shooting incident occurred around 11:35 AM in Barangay Tangos North. Upon learning of the crime, Cortes quickly formed a team of investigators and launched a dragnet operation to capture the suspects, who had fled toward M Domingo Street.

A successful follow-up operation led by Police Captain Ivan Rinquejo, commander of Navotas City Police Substation 2, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Allain Licdan of NPD-DSOU resulted in the arrest of the two suspects.

The suspects were identified as alias “Mark Bryan,” a 24-year-old construction worker, and alias “Antonio,” a 25-year-old tattoo artist. Both are residents of Navotas City.

Recovered from the suspects were a caliber .38 revolver with two empty shells, three live rounds of ammunition, and an electric bicycle used as the escape vehicle.

In a phone interview, Rinquejo stated that one of the suspects claimed the victim, identified as alias "Henison," had wronged him. Rinquejo added that one of the possible angles being considered for the murder is drug-related.

“The victim met with the suspects on M. Domingo. After their conversation, the victim walked away, but the suspects followed and shot him,” Rinquejo added.

Henison sustained gunshot wounds on both sides of his stomach and his right back shoulder. He was rushed to Tondo Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival.

Police Captain Joel Maregalejo, the lead investigator of the case, said that a more thorough investigation is underway. He noted that both the victim and the suspects had previously been incarcerated for drug-related charges.

Both Mark Bryan and Antonio underwent inquest proceedings on Thursday and will face murder charges.