THE Quezon City Police District (QCPD) arrested a member of the local government’s Task Force Disiplina (TFD) for shooting to death three people, including a minor, in Barangay Batasan Hills on Monday.
Mayor Joy Belmonte condemned the killings as she confirmed that the suspect, Alvince Tolentino, 38, has been dismissed from service, as he was facing murder charges before the City Prosecutor’s Office.
A QCPD report showed that the victims were an 18-year-old Grade 12 student, a 19-year-old out-of-school youth, and a 16-year-old boy, all residents in the same village.
An Initial police investigation said the suspect was riding his motorcycle on Senatorial Street when he spotted the teenagers loitering along Batasan San Mateo Road around 2 a.m.
Witnesses said the suspect, appearing to be intoxicated, accosted the victims for violating curfew hours, but became enraged when the victims acted with disrespect.
After seeing the suspect drawing a.38 caliber revolver, the victims ran away for safety. Catching up with the teenagers, the suspect opened fire, killing all three on the spot.
“The city government extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and will coordinate with them to provide the assistance and support they need,” Belmonte said.
The firearm used in the crime is now in custody, and authorities denied issuing firearms to TFD personnel.
“The city government assures the police of its full cooperation to ensure that the suspect faces the full weight of the law and that justice is served for the victims,” Mayor Belmonte said.
She stressed that the city government firmly stands by the principle that no one is above the law. Accountability of every public servant and the safety of the citizenry are duties that cannot be set aside.