Police eye capture of reporter’s killer with daughter’s help

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Police aim to capture the killers of journalist Rubylita Garcia with the help of her 12-year-old daughter.

Cavite police director Senior Superintendent Joselito Esquivel told The STAR the girl and two other adult witnesses can identify one of the killers.

The girl had seen the face of one of the killers when he shot her mother, he added.

Esquivel said they have traced the whereabouts of a suspect, but that they could not ascertain whether he is the killer.

If Garcia’s daughter will identify him as her mother’s killer, police would arrest him, he added.

Esquivel said the suspect known as “Hitman” in Cavite has a tattoo of a cross.

“We already know his safehouse,” he said. “We are now monitoring his movement and some of my men are now in position.”

Esquivel said they have released sketches of Garcia’s killers and a P150,000 bounty has been offered for any information leading to their arrest.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects can call or text the tactical operation center of Cavite police at 0917-5027862, he added.

Esquivel said investigators are looking into work-related and business angles as possible motives for the killing.

At least 150 people, including media practitioners from various organizations, as well the Police Regional Office 4-A press corps, attended the burial of Garcia yesterday in Trinity Garden in Bacoor City at around 2 p.m. after a Mass at the St. Michael Church.

Colleague Rossel Calderon said the remains of the slain reporter were brought to the National Press Club (NPC) in Intramuros, Manila Sunday night.

“There was a funeral parade in NPC building and ended at Chino Roces Bridge,” Calderon said. 

Funeral marchers wore T-shirts marked “Justice for Ruby Garcia.”