Dela Rosa: ‘Villain’s welcome’ in Manila for Quiapo road rage suspect

MANILA, Philippines – Vhon Tanto, the Army reservist tagged in the killing of a cyclist in a road rage altercation, will be given a “villain’s welcome” upon his arrival in Manila,  Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said on Friday, July 29.

Tanto, who was arrested in Masbate Friday noon, will be brought to Manila by land and is expected to arrive at the Manila Police District, which has jurisdiction over his case, early Saturday morning, July 30.

“We will give him a villain’s welcome, not a hero’s welcome,” the PNP chief said in a news briefing, when asked about Tanto.

Asked what this would kind of welcome this would entail, he responded, “Nakakamatay na mura, nakakamatay na tingin, basta ‘yung matutunaw na lang sa kinauupuan niya (Death by cursing, death by staring, the kind of stare that would make one feel so small),” he said.

“Non-contact yon pero mas masakit ‘yon (There’s no physical contact but it’s more painful),” Dela Rosa added.

Tanto is the primary suspect in the death of cylist Mark Vincent Garalde, following a heated argument in Quiapo, Manila, on July 25. Closed circuit television camera footage caught Tanto pulling out a gun from his car and shooting Garalde at close range.

Dela Rosa joked that he would teach the suspect “how to box.” He said that Tanto apparently lost to his victim in a fistfight following the road altercation, and he tried to retaliate in the end by pulling out his gun.

“Tuturuan ko siya ng tamang suntok (I’ll teach him how to throw punches properly),” the PNP chief joked.

A manhunt was launched against Tanto, and his vehicle later found in Nueva Vizcaya. The PNP also said that the gun used in the killing was also recovered in the same province.

Charges of murder and frustrated murder will be filed against Tanto. – Rappler.com