Cops looking into Go assassin’s previous jobs

Manila police are verifying information that Victor Macaldo, the alleged gunman in the slaying of former Manila Councilor Chika Go, was also behind a string of assassinations, including that of an examiner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and a radio newscaster in San Pablo City, Laguna.

Homicide detective Norberto Obrero said they are now coordinating with their counterparts in San Pablo City, Laguna following information that Macaldo was also the hitman in the killings of BIR examiner Graciano Balubal last Aug. 20 and radio newscaster Sonny Alcantara on Aug. 22.

Yesterday, two policemen were sent by San Pablo City police chief Senior Superintendent Ernesto Cuizon to the Western Police District to get photographs of Macaldo.

Obrero said the photos would be shown to witnesses in the murders of Balubal and Alcantara.

"If he is identified by witnesses, the San Pablo City police can then secure an arrest warrant and we can still hold on to him for further investigation. It would be faster to secure an arrest warrant in the province," said Obrero.

Earlier, detectives handling the case expressed concern that Macaldo, 27, of Molino, Bacoor, Cavite, could be released soon from detention. This developed after Manila Assistant Prosecutor Reynaldo Liwanag, reportedly ordered further investigation of the Go murder case.

WPD homicide section chief, Chief Inspector Juanito Taluban said that once Macaldo is set free, he could go into hiding.

According to Taluban, they are also trying to determine Macaldo’s links with other murders in an effort to keep him in detention way beyond the period for inquest.

Aside from the two San Pablo City, Laguna murders, the WPD is also coordinating with the Las Piñas police following Macaldo’s alleged hand in the murder of businessman Jaime Casela in Las Piñas City on Aug. 8. – Mike Frialde