Former Vice President Jejomar Binay announced Friday he would give a P1-million reward for information that would lead to assailants behind the shooting of a long-time family friend.
At the same time, his daughter Mayor Abigail Binay ordered the Makati City police department to conduct a thorough investigation on the case of the executive secretary of her brother, former mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr., who was slain by motorcycle riding-in-tandem gunmen in front of her house Thursday night.
The city chief executive tapped Makati police chief Senior Supt. Rogelio Simon to conduct the probe, identify and find those responsible in the shooting of 44-year old Monaliza Bernardo, a resident of 1021 Makiling Street, Barangay Olympia, Makati City.
Bernardo was rushed to the Makati Medical Center but was pronounced ‘brain dead” hours later. She was shot on the right hand and the bullet went through her stomach.
“She was pronounced as brain dead. Doctors were just waiting for the arrival of her husband at the hospital,” said Southern Police District spokesperson Jenny Tecson.
In a statement, Binay sought prayers for Monaliza “Monette” Bernardo, longtime executive assistant of his son, former Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, who remains in hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds in an attack past 8 p.m. Thursday.
The former vice president, in a statement, said: I am hopeful that truth and justice will prevail, and that we will be able to identify who are behind this heinous act. I am ready to give a P1-million reward for any information that would lead to those behind this crime.
Medical reports said Bernardo sustained gunshots that pierced through her right hand, hitting her abdomen and was rushed to the Makati Medical Center and underwent surgery.
Police recovered an empty shell of a .45 pistol at the crime scene. Witnesses said they saw the assailants monitoring the area before the incident.
Binay called on Makati residents to remain calm amid speculation that the shooting of Bernardo, “a close and loyal family friend for over three decades,” had to do with politics.
SPD reports showed that Bernardo has just arrived home from work around 8:50 p.m. when two men onboard a Honda motorcycle appeared.
One of the riders fired at Bernardo after she alighted from her Toyota Fortuner.
The gunman and his companion fled toward South Avenue after the incident.
Police Investigator on case PO2 John Robert Baligod said recovered from the crime scene was one empty shell of caliber 45.
Mayor Binay asked barangay officials and residents in the area to coordinate closely with the police department for the possible identification of the attackers.
She also asked the community leaders to provide the police copies of all video footages of Closed Circuit Television cameras installed in the area taken before, during and after the crime occured.
“I am ordering the chief of police to do everything possible to resolve the incident and identify those who are behind it. I am also ordering the barangay chairman to collaborate with the police and immediately turn over the CCTV footage and any other material that may help with the investigation,” said Mayor Binay.
“We are a peaceful community. We will not tolerate this thing to happen here in Makati,” she added.
So far, two witnesses, whom the police did not identify for security reason, surfaced at the police station.
According to them, the gunman and his companion drove a blue motorcycle and were wearing blue shirt and denim pants.
They also described the gunman as medium built while his companion was wearing yellow polo shirt and between 5’8 and 5’9 in height.
Police learned that Bernardo was working as executive assistant and secretary of former Mayor Junjun Binay, who is running for the mayoralty race against his sister incumbent Mayor Abby Binay this coming May 13 midterm elections.
