Marikina investigators relieved over slay case

The Marikina City police investigation chief and a police investigation officer were ordered relieved from their post after they reportedly bungled a case that resulted in the release of a P38-million lotto jackpot winner, tagged as the mastermind in a murder case.

Ordered relieved by Marikina police chief Senior Superintendent Felipe Rojas, Jr., were Senior Inspector Armando Ponce, chief of the Marikina police Criminal Investigation Division, and investigator Senior Police Officer 3 Bello Borquetta.

The relief order against Ponce and Borquetta came after lotto winner Luisito delos Reyes, tagged as the mastermind in the killing of Johnny Tuano, was released from jail.

De los Reyes was ordered released from detention by Assistant City Prosecutor Loreto Asejo who said that there was lack of concrete evidence against De los Reyes.

It will be recalled that De los Reyes was tagged by the self-confessed hitman, Ramil Gonzales, as the one who paid him P500 to kill Tuano over an old grudge.

The Marikina police chief reportedly expressed disbelief over the release order since he claims there is ample evidence against De los Reyes, citing the certification of the Firearms and Explosives Division of the Philippine National Police that De los Reyes is the owner of the 9mm pistol, used in the killing of Tuano, coupled with the testimony of Gonzales.

Replacing Ponce as Marikina police CID chief as officer-in-charge is Superintendent Gustavo Torres.– Rainier Allan Ronda