Motel slay suspect might have link to killing of cop

CEBU - A man arrested Tuesday for the death of a motel customer can face more problems as police are studying his link to the killing of PO2 Joseph Clint Cañete, who was gunned down last week at the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge.

Sr. Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, director of the Regional Criminal Investigation Detection Unit (RCIDU)-7, said they are now closely studying the link between Roldan Tamarra and Cañete.

“But I just would like to clarify that there are no evidences yet, that is one angle that we are closely looking at,” Eleazar explained.

Tamarra, 25 of Sitio Puntod, Barangay Mambaling was arrested in a joint operation by RCIDU and Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) the lead agency handling Cañete’s murder last Tuesday afternoon.

Eleazar said that Tamarra is believed to be a gun for hire.

Aside from that, Tamarra’s father, Rodelio was also recorded to have several violations of drug peddling, illegal possession and attempted murder.

Rodelio was arrested by Cañete in 2001 when the latter was still with Cordova Police Station when Roldan was still 15 years old. The information was from Regional Anti Illegal Drug Special Operation Task Force (RAIDSOT), which is also coordinating with MCPO in Cañete’s case.

Roldan denied having to do with Cañete’s murder and told the media that he doesn’t even know the latter.

He also denied having been involved in any murder saying he was merely a barangay tanod of Cabul-an island in Bohol province.

Tamarra and two others were arrested by the authorities pursuant to a warrant issued by the court for the murder of Carl Steven Reyes inside a motel last year.

PO2 Cañete on the other hand was buried yesterday. — Ferliza C. Contratista/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)