Police track "NPA hitman" in Tata Negro's murder

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Police Office is enlisting the help of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in tracking down the alleged member of the New People’s Army who ordered the killing of independent candidate Cresistomo “Tata Negro” Llaguno.

CCPO chief Patrocinio Comendador said they are closely coordinating with the Negros Oriental police and the AFP to know the whereabouts of Rendo Chavez.

Chavez, an alleged member of the NPA and gun-for-hire, was tagged by Jimmy Diala as the one who ordered him to kill Llaguno. Diala confessed the killing following his arrest immediately after the shooting. Chavez and Diala are neighbors in Siaton, Negros Oriental.

Diala claimed that Chavez ordered Llaguno’s killing because of his alleged involvement in illegal drugs. Diala said he was forced to follow because of the threat to hurt him and his family if he refused to do it.

According to Comendador, they have gathered information that Chavez is an NPA hitman and engaged in gun-for-hire. The police have already filed murder charges against Diala while Chavez remains at large.

Comendador said they will soon file a murder case against Chavez as soon as they have completed their investigation. Chavez reportedly served as the “spotter” of Diala during the killing. Diala shot and killed Llaguno last Tuesday while in a campaign sortie in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel. (FREEMAN NEWS)