Patrol group urged: Submit guns

CEBU, Philippines - The Special Investigation Task Group wants the Highway Patrol Group –7 to submit its firearms for ballistics examination to clear the unit of any link to the killing of lawyer Noel Archival and two others.

To recall, the National Bureau of Investigation-7 found a Toyota Corolla Vios (GSC 675) from HPG’s possession, allegedly one of the vehicles used during Archival’s ambush. 

Sr. Supt. Noel Gillamac, the head of the task force group, said the ballistics examination is necessary so that they can match the empty shells recovered from the crime scene with the firearms of the HPG personnel.

“They are part of the investigation as Archival filed charges against them and since they are willing to do so then we will make a formal request,” Gillamac said.

He said they will discuss the move with NBI-7, considering that the two agencies are working together  in solving the crime.

Police Regional Office-7 Director Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino himself said the seizure of the Toyota Corolla is a step toward the arrest of the killers.

SITG is still awaiting the result of the verification of the vehicle’s certificate of registration under the name of a certain Nora Year of Lapu-Lapu City. The certificate was found in the Toyota Corolla during the implementation of the search warrant last March 20.

The court-issued warrant named as subjects HPG-7 chief, Sr. Supt. Romualdo Iglesia, Sr. Insp. Joselito Lerion, Special Operations Team chief; Chief Insp. Eduardo Mara, deputy regional director, and SPO4 Edwin Galan former property custodian.

 â€œSome personnel are suspects but hindi ‘yan enough basis to file a case against them kasi we need to establish their involvement if meron man (Some personnel are suspects but that’s not enough basis in filing a case because we need to establish their involvement, if ever there was),” Constantino said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Michael Rama said the HPG-7 should be dissolved and removed from Cebu City should its connection to the crime be proven.

“Worse, that if it’s proven and the evidence is very strong that impounded vehicles are being tapped and utilized as part of the crime, wow, that is a slap on us, on the face of the Cebuanos. I would rather have them kept out of Cebu City,” the mayor added.

Archival and his companions were onboard a Ford Escape SUV heading back to Cebu City from Dumaguete City when they were ambushed in Barangay Corro, Dalaguete. Archival just come from a hearing representing Jesuslou Elcarte Alegria, the alleged mastermind of a pawnshop heist, before RTC Branch 38 in Dumaguete.

Archival and two members of his staff, Candido Miñoza and Alejandro Jaime, were killed in the attack while another aide, Paulo Cortez, was injured.  (FREEMAN)