Maganto ready to tackle ‘Mission Impossible’
January 1, 2003 | 12:00am
Newly-appointed Task Force Baron commander Chief Superintendent Romeo Maganto described as a "Mission Impossible" yesterday his new marching orders to arrest fugitive police officer Rafael Cardeno, the alleged mastermind in the killing of self-styled spokesman of Young Officers Union (YOU) Baron Cervantes.
"I call this ‘Mission Impossible’ because I have to physically account for Col. Cardeno and his co-accused and bring them to court," Maganto said in an interview over dzBB radio.
Maganto, who has not had an official assignment in almost three years since being on floating status, admitted that his new task was a challenge, but vowed to exert all his effort to bring the Cervantes’ suspected killers to justice.
On orders from President Arroyo, Philippine National Police chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane announced Monday that Maganto would be appointed as head of the task force in the manhunt for Cardeno and cohort Sonny Camacho, both recently included in the PNP and the Department of Interior and Local Government’s wanted persons’ list.
Maganto appealed to the fugitives to surrender peacefully.
Sources said Cardeno has at least four armed bodyguards at any one time, mostly former military men and police officers.
Maganto said he believes the suspects are still in the country.
"They should just voluntarily surrender. If they say they are not guilty then the very best thing to do is come out and clear their names," he said.
The trial of the murder case has been set for Jan. 15.
Also included in the charge sheet are self-confessed gunman, former Marine Sgt. Joseph Mostrales, Erlino Torres and Jaime Centeno, who all acted as lookouts in the slay. They are currently detained at Camp Crame.
Camacho, an employee of the Land Transportation Office, has been tagged by the police as the one who asked Cervantes to proceed to a convenience store along the Alabang-Zapote Road in Las Piñas, where he was gunned down a year ago. Cervantes’ family marked the first death anniversary of Cervantes’ death at the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque yesterday morning.
Between sobs, Cervantes’ mother, Carol, thanked the small crowd that gathered to remember her eldest son.
"I will always remember this day. Thank you for being here even if you know you have to be in your own homes preparing for the New Year," she said.
The make-shift altar included a carton and a bottle of milk, which her son has asked a relative to buy moments before he was gunned down.
"I will never forget these last items that he asked for. After he sent the text message, he was shot," the mother said. – With Nikko Dizon, Jaime Laude
"I call this ‘Mission Impossible’ because I have to physically account for Col. Cardeno and his co-accused and bring them to court," Maganto said in an interview over dzBB radio.
Maganto, who has not had an official assignment in almost three years since being on floating status, admitted that his new task was a challenge, but vowed to exert all his effort to bring the Cervantes’ suspected killers to justice.
On orders from President Arroyo, Philippine National Police chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane announced Monday that Maganto would be appointed as head of the task force in the manhunt for Cardeno and cohort Sonny Camacho, both recently included in the PNP and the Department of Interior and Local Government’s wanted persons’ list.
Maganto appealed to the fugitives to surrender peacefully.
Sources said Cardeno has at least four armed bodyguards at any one time, mostly former military men and police officers.
Maganto said he believes the suspects are still in the country.
"They should just voluntarily surrender. If they say they are not guilty then the very best thing to do is come out and clear their names," he said.
The trial of the murder case has been set for Jan. 15.
Also included in the charge sheet are self-confessed gunman, former Marine Sgt. Joseph Mostrales, Erlino Torres and Jaime Centeno, who all acted as lookouts in the slay. They are currently detained at Camp Crame.
Camacho, an employee of the Land Transportation Office, has been tagged by the police as the one who asked Cervantes to proceed to a convenience store along the Alabang-Zapote Road in Las Piñas, where he was gunned down a year ago. Cervantes’ family marked the first death anniversary of Cervantes’ death at the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque yesterday morning.
Between sobs, Cervantes’ mother, Carol, thanked the small crowd that gathered to remember her eldest son.
"I will always remember this day. Thank you for being here even if you know you have to be in your own homes preparing for the New Year," she said.
The make-shift altar included a carton and a bottle of milk, which her son has asked a relative to buy moments before he was gunned down.
"I will never forget these last items that he asked for. After he sent the text message, he was shot," the mother said. – With Nikko Dizon, Jaime Laude
BrandSpace Articles
<
>
- Latest
- Trending
Trending
Latest