Police eye business rivalry in billiards patron’s slay
Police are looking into a business rivalry as a possible motive in the murder of sportsman and businessman Ceferino “Perry” Mariano, who was gunned down with his driver along a busy street in Quezon City on Tuesday.
At a briefing at Camp Crame on Friday, Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, spokesperson for the Philippine National Police, said the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) had received calls from informants providing leads about the attack’s links to the business dealings of the 75-year-old Mariano.
“We are focusing on the angle of a business rivalry … We’re zeroing in on which of his specific businesses had led to his killing,” Tuaño told reporters.
The PNP spokesperson, however, said he could not disclose more details as to the nature of the tips that the QCPD had received regarding the case.
Mariano was the owner and head of Bugsy Promotions, a stable for several world-class Filipino billiards players.
Bars, STL business
He cofounded the Billiard League (B-League) and was the founder and former president of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines. In 2012, he was appointed secretary general for local affairs of the Billiards Sports Confederation of the Philippines.
Outside of professional billiards and sports promotion, Mariano owned Hermes Sports Bar on West Avenue in Quezon City and several nightclubs and disco joints in Quezon City, including Thunderdome and Kampo bar.
Attack caught on cam
He was the former head of the United Entertainment Congress of the Philippines and led the Association of Club, Karaoke and Disco Owners in Quezon City.
Tuaño said Mariano also had a small town lottery (STL) business.
On Tuesday afternoon, Mariano and his driver, Norberto Orimaco, 51, were traveling along Timog Avenue aboard a Suzuki S-Presso when they were attacked by two suspects aboard a motorcycle. Footage from security cameras in the area showed the suspects fleeing toward Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa).
Minutes before gun attack, the gunman and the motorcycle driver were seen walking along Ybardolaza Street toward Timog Avenue.
The Yamaha motorcycle that they used was found by police abandoned on Scout Rallos Street on Tuesday night. Its license plate, however, was traced to a resident of Batasan Hills, also in Quezon City, but who owned a Honda motorcycle.
Fled via trike, jeepney
Police have yet to arrest the suspects, who were last seen returning to Ybardolaza Street on foot, crossing Timog Avenue and turning to Scout Borromeo Street. There they hailed a tricycle that took them to Quezon Avenue, where they then boarded a passenger jeepney.
The QCPD has formed a special investigation team to look into Mariano’s murder.
In a tribute posted on Facebook, Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo, winner of the 2011 World Pool Association Eight-Ball Championship, considered Mariano as a father who believed in his potential.
“Boss! I love you very much. .. You molded me and believed in my ability. I can’t take it, boss. You’ve been extremely kind. You gave me a home in Manila. I won’t forget you,” said Orcollo, a native of Surigao del Sur and one of the pool players under Mariano’s stable. —WITH A REPORT FROM INQUIRER RESEARCH
