DOJ issues lookout order vs QC road rage suspect

“In order not to defeat the ongoing investigation by the Quezon City Police Department, you are hereby directed to include Mr. Fredison Atienza in the Immigration Look-out Bulletin Order, disseminate the information, instruct all immigration officers to be on the lookout/alert for the above-named individual should he pass through the immigration counters in any of our international airports and seaports,” Aguirre said. (Photo: PTV/ Facebook)

MANILA –The Department of Justice (DOJ) ordered the issuance of an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against Friedson Atienza, the suspect in a road rage incident in Quezon City, who remains at large despite efforts of the authorities to locate him.

In a memorandum dated March 1, DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II ordered Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente to instruct all immigration officers in the country’s airports and seaports to be on the lookout for Atienzawhom authorities tagged as the suspect in the killing of Anthony Mendoza following a traffic brawl on Saturday at the corner of D. Tuazon and Quezon Avenue.

“In order not to defeat the ongoing investigation by the Quezon City Police Department, you are hereby directed to include Mr. Fredison Atienza in the Immigration Look-out Bulletin Order, disseminate the information, instruct all immigration officers to be on the lookout/alert for the above-named individual should he pass through the immigration counters in any of our international airports and seaports,” Aguirre said.

“You are further directed to promptly relay to the Office of the Secretary of such information,” he added.

The DOJ chief warned immigration officers not to wait until boarding time of the subject individual to inform his office or the prosecutor general of any attempt to leave the country.

“Take all other appropriate actions including, but not limited to, coordinating with other concerned offices and agencies and even airlines, especially since international passengers are customarily required to check-in within a specified number of hours before the flight,” he added.

A ILBO is different from a court-issued hold departure order (HDO) since the former only directs the Bureau of Immigration to be on the lookout for the subject and to verify the status of a case against the subject person and not to restrict an individual from leaving the country.

But a person subject to the ILBO should seek an Allow Departure Order (ADO) from the DOJ chief itself to be allowed to leave.

Earlier, Quezon City police chief, Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar earlier said they have received surrender feelers from Atienza.

Eleazar said, a certain Alfamil Yap, a friend of suspect Fredison Atienza a.k.a. Sonson, turned-over the vehicle to CIDU investigators before 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

CIDU Chief, PSUpt Rodelio Marcelo said Yap surrendered the vehicle upon the advice of a lawyer.

Michael Mendoza, the victim’s brother who witnessed the shooting, positively identified the surrendered Toyota Land Cruiser as the same vehicle which the suspect was driving when the shooting incident occurred.