44 NBI officials, agents cited by PAO

A total of 44 officials and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have been recognized by the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) for the speedy arrest of the suspects in the murder of Las Piñas PAO chief Teresita Garcia-Vidamo.

In just 19 days, joint operatives of the NBI, from the National Capital Region (NCR) and Special Task Force (STF) units, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were able to apprehend four suspects in the Feb. 28 Vidamo slay.

Certificates and plaques of commendation were awarded to Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco, NBI-STF chief Reynaldo Esmeralda, NBI-STF Executive Officer Arnel Dalumpines, NBI-NCR Edmund Arugay, NBI-NCR Executive Officer Rosauro Bautista, and 40 other agents for the assistance they rendered in capturing the suspects.

Awardees from the PNP were led by Superintendent Efrain Sindico while those from the Las Piñas police were led by Superintendent Neshber Mendez.

Vidamo, 53, a resident of Casimiro Avenue, Phase 1, Casimiro Village, Pulang Lupa, Las Piñas City was about to board her van when four men approached the vehicle and shot her several times.

She was brought to the nearby Zarate Medical Clinic where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The police recovered two shells of a caliber .45 pistol and a .9mm shell.

The operatives conducted follow-up operations that led to the capture of Jonathan Lara, 18, construction worker, a resident of Las Piñas City; Mark Anthony Camanes, 22, laborer, Cavite; and lookout Exequiel, 22, brother of Lara; and Arturo Sanchez, 34.