CIIB: Triggerman a member of organized criminal group

CEBU, Philippines - Arnel “Budlat” Gomez, who was tagged as the trigger man in the death of a Barangay Intelligence Network member and a former police asset last week, is a member of an organized criminal group operating in the Metro Cebu area.

City Intelligence and Investigation Bureau Chief Romeo Santander said Gomez is a member of a local gun-for-hire group together with his cohort, a certain “Opao” who evaded arrest last Monday.

The police seized from him several high-powered firearms including a KG9. 

“We are also currently cross-matching evidence recovered from various crime scenes to confirm Gomez’s involvement in previous shooting incidents in the city,” he said in Cebuano.   

He said they are also trying to retrieve pictures from the two cameras recovered from Gomez believing that it contains his “targets.” Once they get the data from the cameras, they have a stronger case against Gomez who will face multiple charges of murder.

Santander also considers Gomez as “very professional” in killing BIN member Catalino Entoma Jr. and police asset Michael Moralde. The two died on the spot. 

“When he attacked his victim, he makes sure before leaving that they are dead,” he said.

Aside from Gomez, Santander said they are still hunting for Opao.

“Dili lang dinhi sa Cebu City naa sila kay we are looking in places such as Danao, Consolacion, Lilo-an, and even Carmen nga maoy mo sulod dinhi sa Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu ug mang biktima,” he said. (It’s not only in Cebu City thay the operate but in other towns and cities in Metro Cebu.)

Based on an order from Police Regional Office 7 Director Marcelo Garbo Jr., they are monitoring these areas. – Ryan Christopher J. Sorote/JPM (THE FREEMAN)