Police arrest 3 ‘hired killers’

CEBU, Philippines - Police arrested three suspected hired killers who reportedly entered a chapel armed with guns to threaten the people who were having a meeting in Barangay Pitalo, San Fernando town, last Friday night.

The suspects reportedly wanted to scare or probably attack the people inside the chapel who were having an assembly for the ouster of their association president.

Police identified the suspects as Naga City residents Randy Venegra, 39, of Barangay Colon; and Obit Hequillo, 36, of Barangay Lutac; and Minglanilla resident Ryan Fernandez, 32, of Barangay Poblacion Ward II.

The suspects, who reportedly had criminal records, were also seized with a .45 cal. pistol with five live rounds, a .38 cal. revolver with two live rounds and two small sachets of suspected shabu.

Venegra had reportedly been arrested before for murder while Fernandez and Hequillo for drug offenses.

According to the report of San Fernando Police, the suspects, went to the San Vicente Ferrer Chapel around 6:30 pm last Friday on board a motorcycle.

At that time, around 15 people were inside the chapel holding an assembly to remove chapel association president Calvin Alfeche, who reportedly would not relinquish his position despite the people’s protest.

Some of the attendees reportedly got alarmed after noticing the suspects were armed.

Barangay tanods then called for help from SPO1 Francisco Salubre and PO3 Reynaldo Binatero, who were roving the area that time.

Police frisked the suspects and eventually recovered the guns and illegal drugs.  Police have yet to determine who hired and instructed the men to go to the chapel.

During questioning the suspects denied the accusations against them saying they just went to the chapel to buy candles.

Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, head of Cebu Provincial Police Office, believes that the suspects were sent to the chapel to sow panic during the meeting or even kill someone.

Comendador ordered his men to investigate the suspects and check their background. Charges for illegal possession of firearms, illegal drugs and the Commission on Elections gun ban will be filed against the suspects on Monday.  (FREEMAN)