MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government yesterday ordered officials of the Bulacan Provincial Police Office (PPO) to conduct massive manhunt operations against suspects in the killing of a lady witness against the activities of an alleged car theft syndicate in the province.

“I have directed the Bulacan PPO officials for the immediate manhunt, identification and arrest of suspects who killed one of our witnesses against the alleged Dominguez brothers car theft ring,” he said.

This, after receiving reports that Cristina Bruan Rojas was gunned down by unidentified suspects after attending a court hearing in Malolos City on the carnapping case against Raymund Dominguez.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said the suspects followed the movement and trail of Rojas who was shot to death inside a passenger jeepney at the vicinity of the McArthur Highway reportedly while on her way home at 11:30 am yesterday.

Brothers Raymund and Roger Dominguez were placed in police custody after a witness, identified as Alfredo Mendiola, alias Bading, testified that the duo were the alleged masterminds in the kidnapping and murder of car dealers Venson Evangelista and Emerson Lozano on January 13, 2011.

The Dominguez brothers were identified by the PNP Highway Patrol Group as alleged leaders of a carjacking syndicate operating in Central Luzon.