Gun used in killing of couple in bus linked to 3 other shootings

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 21) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that the gun that killed a couple in a bus in Nueva Ecija is linked to three other shootings.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the cartridge case that was recovered from the bus matches the cartridge case from two other incidents in Nueva Ecija and one in Isabela.

"Possibly po, kung sino 'yung mga suspects dito sa mga nasabing previous incident ay sila rin po ang involved dito sa kaso involving 'yung dalawang biktima sa loob ng Victory Liner," Fajardo told CNN Philippines.

[Translation: It's possible that the suspects in the previous incidents are the same people involved in the case of the couple who died inside Victory Liner.]

The PNP official added that the crimes were likely perpetrated by hired guns.

Authorities earlier said that family dispute could be a possible motive behind the couple's death as the woman previously charged her son with carnapping and robbery cases.

Although the son denied involvement in the case, police earlier said that he is still considered a person of interest.

The PNP also earlier said that it is considering deploying marshals in buses to ensure passengers' safety after the gruesome incident.