SWAT member testifies vs. Tata Negro killer

CEBU, Philippines - A member of the Cebu City Special Weapons and Tactics who arrested the alleged gunman in the murder of suspected drug lord and independent candidate for city councilor Crisistomo “Tata Negro” Llaguno yesterday confirmed before the court that the slugs recovered at the crime scene matched during ballistic examinations with that of the firearm confiscated from the accused.

Police Officer 2 Eddie Petecio was presented yesterday as prosecution witness against Jimmy Diala who was arrested during hot pursuit operation after he allegedly shot Llaguno dead in Barangay Lorega San Miguel on May 4, 2010 at the height of the election campaign.

Petecio said that the Caliber 45 pistol he confiscated from Diala during his arrest matched with the slugs recovered at the crime scene. According to Petecio, he chanced upon Diala on board a PUJ on his way to escape after shooting Llaguno.

State Prosecutor Gandhi Truya asked Petecio to identify the firearm he confiscated from Diala during yesterday’s trial. The court has scheduled the cross examination of Petecio on May 11, 2011.

Diala earlier confessed to the killing of Llaguno and alleged that he was hired by a certain Rendon Chavez from Siaton, Negros Oriental.

Diala said he was forced to do what Chavez told him because his life and his family were at risk. — (FREEMAN)