MANILA, Philippines – The Makati city government announced on Monday, January 4, that it is offering P100,000 to anyone who could provide information that would lead to the arrest of a former barangay watchman who killed two residents, including a 7-year-old boy, on New Year’s Eve.

Police said that a few minutes past midnight on January 1, suspect Raymundo Liza, 40 years old, opened fire at a group of drinkers at a house in Makati’s Barangay Southside, which is also being claimed by Taguig Ciy as Barangay Pinagsama.

Liza, believed to be drunk at the time, used a .45 caliber pistol and shot 25-year-old John Edward Pascual, whom Liza challenged into a fight. 

Police investigators said that one of Liza’s bullets also hit 7-year-old Marc Angelo Diego, the son of the owner of the house where the incident occurred. 

The child passed away a day after being shot, while Pascual succumbed to his gunshot wounds on Saturday morning. (READ: New Year mayhem kills 2, injures hundreds)

“I am extending my sympathy to the parents and relatives of Marc Angelo for his untimely demise and I am offering a reward of P100,000 to any person who could provide valuable information that could lead to the arrest of Raymundo Liza,” said Acting Makati Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña Jr on Monday.

Another guest of the Diego family, Israel Lava, was injured from a stray bullet and is currently recovering at the Ospital ng Makati.

Police said Liza fled on foot after the shooting and has gone into hiding.

The suspect is a former watchman of Barangay Southside and was dismissed from service on December 7, 2015, because of earlier complaints filed against him.

The Makati City Police initially investigated Liza’s case, but it has now been transferred to the jurisdiction of the Taguig City Police.

The Philippine Star reported that Superintendent Arthur Asis, chief of the Taguig City Police, said they would be filing a murder complaint against Liza. – Rappler.com

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