Luli Arroyo's bro-in-law wounded in Pasig carjacking

The brother-in-law of presidential daughter Evangeline Lourdes "Luli" Arroyo-Bernas on Saturday was wounded in an early morning shooting incident in Pasig City. Chief Superintendent Francisco Manalo, Eastern Police District chief, told GMANews.TV that the shooting of George Bernas — brother of Luli's husband, Luigi happened on the intersection of the C-5 Road and Ortigas Avenue at about 5 a.m. Investigation showed that George, his wife, and two children had just returned to the country from the United States before the shooting happened. They were fetched at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport by their driver and were headed back to their home in Green Meadows in Quezon City. Upon reaching the intersection in Pasig City, at least four assailants on board a Toyota Hi-Ace van hit the Bernases' Hyundai Starex van, prompting George to step out of their vehicle. Once outside, the suspects shot the victim in the stomach. The bullet also pierced through the victim's hand. The attackers then forced the family driver out of the van before commandeering the vehicle, with George's wife, their two children, and a house help still inside. Authorities said it appeared the suspects were not from the area since they were unfamiliar with its roads. "Tinanong pa nila si Mrs. Bernas kung saan and EDSA (They even asked Mrs. Bernas which way was to EDSA). It was Mrs. Bernas who even guided them," Manalo said. The Hi-Ace van sped off toward Quezon City, while the Starex van went straight to Makati City, where the captive Bernases were later dropped off. Police are hoping that footage taken by a closed circuit television camera would help them determine the identities of the victim's attackers sooner. According to relatives, the victim is out of danger and in stable condition at a hospital in Manila as of posting time. Authorities have yet to establish a motive for the crime, but they are focusing on a group of criminals who target people who are leaving the airport area. Investigators are already preparing artists’ sketches of the suspects based on the accounts of Mrs. Bernas.—JV, GMANews.TV