CEBU, Philippines - A former government employee was arrested while his companion landed in a hospital after their plan to kill a barangay captain failed yesterday afternoon in Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City.
Charles Garces was brought to Fuente Police Station while his companion Froilan Orlanez was brought to Cebu City Medical Center after he was shot and hit by the bodyguards of Babag barangay captain Cesar Dolorito, said Fuente Police chief Wildemar Tiu.
Both suspects allegedly work as guns-for-hire and reside in Barangay Tinago.
Garces, who was subjected to police interrogation, admitted they still have another companion who they allegedly only knew as a certain Michael from Tabogon town. The third suspect managed to escape by driving a motorcycle.
Tiu said personnel from the alert team were patrolling along Don Gil Garcia Street when they heard gunshots nearby.
At the same time, personnel of Special Weapons and Tactics-Toledo City were passing by the area when they saw Garces and Orlanez fell off from the motorcycle they were riding when it bumped into a private vehicle.
The SWAT personnel responded to the incident and arrested Garces upon seeing him having in possession a cal. 45 pistol. Orlanez, who sustained a gunshot wound to his left foot, was brought to CCMC and was subjected to hospital arrest.
Garces, a former employee of the Cebu Provincial Capitol assigned as part of the demolition team, confessed to the police that they were hired to kill someone in exchange for P50,000 each.
He allegedly had no idea that the target was a barangay captain. They were allegedly provided with a picture of Dolorito and were told that Dolorito would be inside a commercial establishment in the area around 12 p.m.
Dolorito walked downstairs to supposedly eat at a canteen just inside the establishment while Garces and Orlanez backed up Michael, who was driving another motorcycle and was to shoot first the target.
Michael allegedly tried to fire his gun at Dolorito three times but it did not work. But Dolorito’s bodyguards notice them.
On the fourth attempt, Michael was able to fire a shot but failed to hit his target.
At this juncture, the bodyguards returned fire at the suspects.
The suspects tried to speed off but Orlanez, who drove the other motorcycle, was hit on the left foot and fell from the motorcycle together with Garces, his backrider.
According to Garces, Michael served as their contact with the person who ordered the assassination of the barangay captain.
“Ang iyang (Michael) giingon namo nga nakadispalko kuno og sais milyones. Land broker man kuno na siya,” said Garces, referring to Dolorito.
Tinago barangay captain Joel Garganera said he personally knows Garces and Orlanez and said the two have no derogatory records in his barangay.
“Kaila ko ani papa niya (Garces). Trabahante man na sa City Hall sauna. Apil gani na siya sa choir sa simbahan sauna,” said Garganera.
Garces said he accepted the offer allegedly because of poverty, especially that his wife is about to give birth to their third child. — /NSA (FREEMAN)