A murdered Filipino politician caught his ki1ler on camera just moments before he was shot dead, and the photograph led to the arrest of the gunman, police said today.
The photograph, taken by district councilor Reynaldo Dagsa and reprinted on the front page of a major newspaper, shows his family posing for the photo while the gunman is in the background aiming a pistol at his victim.
"While he was taking the picture of his family on New Year's Day, the ki1ler appeared, and he inadvertently took the picture of the ki1ler with the gun aimed at him," said local police chief Jude Santos.
Dagsa, a councilor in a Manila suburb, was shot moments after the picture was taken and died on the way to the hospital, according to Santos. The family gave the photograph to the police, which led to the arrest of the gunman Monday as well as a suspected accomplice who was also seen lurking in the background of the picture, Santos added.
The suspects possibly had a grudge against the councilor, who was active in law enforcement activities in his district, said the police chief.
Rampant gun violence has long plagued the impoverished Philippines, with a vast array of cheap firearms easily available on the legal and black markets.
↪
Slain Filipino district councilor captures own ki1ler on camera - NYPOST.com
This is the terrifying moment a murderer was caught on camera...by the victim.
A split-second after he pressed the shutter button, the Filipino politician was dead.
Reynaldo Dagsa, 35, had been taking a picture of his family on New Year's Day when the gunman - whose arrest Dagsa had ordered for stealing cars - stepped out from behind a car, took aim and fired.
Two shots rang out and Mr Dagsa was hit on his right forearm and in the chest.
Although he was rushed to a nearby hospital in Manila, he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The left-hand portion of the photograph, seen here, shows how the ki1ler came from behind a parked car to take aim at the politician
The gunman was soon identified as Michael Gonzales, also known by the underworld name of Fubo of Fish Pond Area 1. He was arrested soon afterwards when the district councillor's family handed the camera to police.
His wife, daughter and another female relative, had been posing for him when he was murdered.
Police chief Jude Santos said: 'While he was taking the picture of his family on New Year's Day, the ki1ler appeared and he inadvertently took the picture of the ki1ler – with the gun aimed at him.'
Not only that, Mr Dagsa had also photographed his ki1ler's accomplice, who can be seen lurking in the background of the picture, said Mr Santos.
The search is now on for the gunman's accomplice, who is standing to the right of the photo as he watches Gonzales taking aim, the muzzle of his pistol highlighted by the camera flash.
Police told The Inquirer newspaper of Manila that the second lookout has been identified as Rommel Oliva, while there was a third man identified as Francis Bumjal, although he is not in the picture.
Mourned: Relatives reach out to touch the portrait of the murdered man which rests on his coffin during his wake in Manila
The ki1ler struck as the politician's family posed for him outside a restaurant in a Manila suburb
Police chief Santos said the main suspect was a car thief who was out on bail and is believed to have sought revenge against Dagsa for ordering his arrest last year.
The politician was active in law-enforcement activities in his district.
The gun rules in most Philippines cities and not a day goes by without someone being shot dead.
Huge numbers of cheap firearms are easily available on the legal and black markets.
Hired assassins are also on the loose, usually riding as pillion riders on motor bikes, their faces covered by visors.
They pull alongside a victim's car, shoot him – and then ride off into the thick traffic.
Manila: The capital of the Philippines is no stranger to gun crime and firearms are easily available legally and on the black market
Source: ↪ http://www.dailymail.co.u .. nds-later.html
|