NBI has witness in Cinco ambush

The National Bureau of Investigation now has in its custody a witness who could identify one of the two triggermen in the murder of Comelec information chief Velma Cinco last Nov. 20.

According to sources, the witness, who was not identified, allegedly saw one of the triggermen before the shooting, his face not yet wrapped by a towel and without his motorcycle helmet on.

Cinco, 63, was being driven by her son, Carlo, 37, from their house to her office at about 8 a.m. aboard her red Kia car with plate number TDR-779 when their way was blocked by the suspects aboard a motorcycle at the corner of Pedro Gil and Eden streets in Sta. Ana, Manila. Manila Police recovered four 9 mm spent shells from the crime scene.

Earlier, NBI director Reynaldo Wycoco hinted that Cinco’s murder could have been sparked by infighting in the Comelec.

The suspects, whose faces were hidden by towels and dark sunglasses, immediately opened fire with pistols. Cinco was hit several times in the face and body. Her son Carlo, sustained two bullet wounds in the left arm.

Cinco’s 47-year-old sister, Marian Jayme, who was seated in the backseat was unhurt and later executed an affidavit before police.

Cinco was rushed to the Manila Doctors Hospital but was declared dead on arrival due to multiple bullet wounds in the body and head. Her son was rushed to the Philippine General Hospital for treatment of two bullet wounds in the left arm.

In her affidavit, Jayme said her sister received several threats from a certain "Director Matibag" of the Comelec.

Former Comelec information chief Angelina Matibag later denied any involvement with Cinco’s murder.

Comelec chairman Alfredo Benipayo said that Cinco’s death was "job related." "We cannot discount this possibility. This could also be the work of professional killers. This also goes to show that there are people who want to disrupt the Comelec," said Benipayo.

Meanwhile, the NBI has released pending "further investigation" a Comelec clerk who allegedly served as "back-up" bodyguard for Matibag.

Sources said Laverne Manzano, 32, was released from custody after the NBI verified that the Ruger 9mm seized from him was properly licensed and documented.

However, the seized gun is still with the NBI for ballistics examinations. The NBI is now cross-matching Manzano’s gun with the four spent 9mm shells recovered by police from the crime scene.

Sources added that Manzano was also subjected to a paraffin test to find out if he had recently fired a gun. The results of the test have yet to be released.

"Though he has been released pending further investigation, he still remains a suspect in the case," said one investigator.

Manzano, who has been working at the Comelec since 1997, said he is willing to cooperate with the joint investigation now being conducted by the NBI and the Western Police District’s "Task Force Cinco."