Gang of robbers eyed in slay of DOJ de Lima's bodyguard

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InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - Police are eyeing the possible involvement of a notorious band of robbers nabbed earlier this week in Paranaque City in the killing of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima's bodyguard last May.

Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina, director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said the 10 members of the notorious UVX Tirador gang victimizing commuters were now also suspects in the death of Alister Quintos, 32, a bodyguard of de Lima.

Quintos was found dead last May in San Ildefonso, Bulacan with gunshot wounds.

Espina said investigators learned that prior to his death, Quintos boarded a passenger utility vehicle in Antipolo.

On Tuesday night, a Mitsubishi Adventure 2011 model with plate number TXO 215 was recovered by police at Fourth Estate, Barangay San Antonio in Paranaque City. Police said the vehicle, owned by a certain Jane Mary Abuton, was suspected to have been used in the killing of Quintos. Espina said forensic investigators may still recover bloodstains in the vehicle. An ammo shell was also recovered inside.

"We are closely working with the NBI in this particular case as one of their staffs was victimized," Espina said.

Aside from the group's involvement in the death of de Lima's bodyguard, the UVX Tiradors were also tagged in a string of other robberies in passenger utility vehicles. To date, about 25 victims have already approached police to file their complaints. 

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