DOJ doubts ex-DA exec masterminded Esperat killing

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez rejected yesterday the claim of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Reynaldo Wycoco that Sumail Sekkak, a former Department of Agriculture (DA) official, had masterminded the killing of journalist Marlene Garcia-Esperat.

A government prosecutor has identified another DA official as the brains behind the murder.

"I have already instructed NBI Director Wycoco to widen the investigation in the murder of Esperat and leave no stone unturned," Gonzalez said.

"Prosecutor Al Calica is identifying a different mastermind, said to be a budget officer of the Department of Agriculture and another employee, whose ranks are lower than Sekkak. I ordered the prosecution panel there to conduct a more thorough investigation."

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Angelo Reyes said yesterday police had launched a manhunt for the person or persons behind the killing of Esperat last Maundy Thursday.

In August last year, Esperat filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against a congressman and an agriculture department official for alleged involvement in the smuggling of P23 million worth of chicken leg quarters from the US.

She also accused a certain Samuel Señoren and Maria Theresa Concepcion, along with six other DA officials and private individuals, in the smuggling.

Esperat also filed a complaint against several agriculture department officials in connection with the P432-million fertilizer deal in 2003.

On Oct. 14, 2003, Esperat sued Mindanao Deputy Ombudsman Antonio Valenzuela for alleged bias towards DA officials facing graft charges in Central Mindanao.

Wycoco claimed a certain "Jake" — whom Central Mindanao police had identified as Randy Grecia — was the lookout for the killers and had named Sekkak as the one who ordered the killing of Esperat. — With Cecille Suerte Felipe