TASK Force Ting is exploring at least two angles in the murder of hotelier Manuel Ting, which authorities believe was not an isolated attack.
“The manner of execution and the grouping of the shots indicated that the suspect (in Manuel’s killing) is good in shooting,” said Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Lani-o Nerez.
Manuel died after getting shot at least 10 times in the head and body while driving his car in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City around 6 p.m. last Tuesday.
His younger brother Nicolas remains in a hospital after surviving a separate ambush last Monday night in Mandaue City.
Nerez said the attacks on Manuel, 72, and Nicolas, 69, did not appear to be isolated nor random cases. The triggermen clearly had specific targets and planned the attacks well, he said.
Nerez, however, believes the attack will not harm the tourism industry in Cebu.
He designated Senior Supt. Ramon Melvin Buenafe commander of the task force that was immediately created to solve the attacks.
Among the angles being checked is if the killing was related to the businesses of Manuel, who owns several companies and
is president of the Cebu Parklane International Hotel.
The task force is composed of the Regional Intelligence Division, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Cebu City Police Office and Mandaue City Police Office.
They met yesterday at the regional police headquarters to share their leads.
Cenelyn Manguilimotan, Parklane’s general manager, briefly told reporters at Manuel’s wake that the family welcomed the creation of the task force and will cooperate with the police in the investigation.
Nerez said the task force is trying to come up with a sketch of the lone gunman, who reportedly did not wear a mask, when he fired at Manuel.
Nerez and Cebu City Police Director Patrocinio Comendador Jr., in separate interviews, said they will invite several persons who could help the task force in the investigation.
The police detailed security to both brothers’ families.
A police team was detailed at the hospital where Nicolas is recuperating from the wounds he suffered. Another team was deployed to the funeral parlor to secure Manuel’s family. (JTG)