2 suspects in vlogger's murder identified – PNP

MANILA, Philippines — Probers have identified the two suspects in the murder of pro-Marcos vlogger Alicia Lipata in Caloocan. Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said criminal cases are being readied against the assailants. Lipata and her partner were shot in front of their house in Barangay 171 on Friday. “Police are tracking down the suspects,” Nartatez told Camp Crame reporters yesterday. Nartatez did not disclose the identities of the suspects whom he said were hired by a crime ring. If they are arrested, Nartatez said the suspects may provide information that could lead to the mastermind. PNP spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co said one of the suspects has pending criminal cases. He declined to disclose further details. “We cannot give specific details because it may compromise our operations,” he said. The suspects were identified through accounts of witnesses, closed-circuit television footage and other evidence gathered by probers. Asked if the motive could be related to Lipata’s work as a political vlogger, Nartatez said: “Our investigators are still looking into assumptions, based on facts and evidence that we have gathered so far.” Police are also looking into a personal grudge angle as Lipata had filed a criminal complaint against a man.