John Albert Laylo (Photo from his Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Consulate General in New York is in touch with local authorities and has “reached out to others who may have any leads on the shooting” in Philadelphia, which claimed the life of a visiting Filipino lawyer.
In a statement sent to INQUIRER.net, Philippine Consul General Elmer Cato said on Monday that he was able to meet Laylo’s mother and cousin, and assured them that the Department of Foreign Affairs and the consulate will extend assistance in repatriating the remains of 35-year-old John Albert “Jal” Laylo.
“We are in touch with police authorities and have reached out to others who may have any leads on the shooting,” Cato said.
Citing initial police reports received by the consulate, Cato said the Uber vehicle John and his mother were riding in “was fired upon from behind by unknown suspects on board a Nissan Maxima.”
READ: Filipino lawyer dies hours after random shooting in Philadelphia
“The still unknown suspects then pulled alongside the driver’s side of the [Nissan] Altima and fired more rounds before fleeing,” he noted.
The incident took place along 38th Street and Spruce Street some five minutes after Laylo and his mother left his cousin’s apartment for the airport, according to Cato.
“John was struck in the head by one of several bullets that were fired into the Maxima. His mother was slightly wounded by glass fragments,” he said.
“We continue to coordinate with authorities and underscored the importance the Philippine government places on this case,” he added.
According to Cato, Laylo was pronounced dead “some 30 hours” after the shooting.
“John was declared dead an hour before we arrived with leaders of the Filipino Community at the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center where he was taken following the shooting,” he added.