SPD pursuing own Ramos slay probe

The Southern Police District (SPD) is pursuing its own investigation into the killing of Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Alicia Ramos to determine if there is the truth behind the main suspect’s allegation that the victim’s own sister was the mastermind.

SPD director Chief Superintendent Wilfredo Garcia said yesterday they are following a lead as part of a probe that is separate from that of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). He refused to give further details.

"We will find the truth on the involvement of Ramos’ sister in the killing after our investigation," Garcia said.

Robert Lumagui, the primary suspect in the April 24 robbery-slay, surrendered to police last Monday night in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija. He has tagged Ramos’ sister, Ester Ramos-Bailey, as the one who gave the order to attack the former DFA official.

He claimed that Bailey promised to pay him and his three cohorts P20,000 in exchange for scaring Ramos for not releasing in full the pension of her late husband, who served in the US Armed Forces.

Ramos was reportedly handling the pension because Bailey suffers from a mental disorder.

Police said Bailey was confined at the St. Claire Medical during the rob-slay that took place inside Ramos’ house in Palanan, Makati City in the morning of April 24.

Her other sister, Leticia, who lives with her in the house, was wounded, but was able to escape and report the incident to the police.

Lumagui had been earlier tagged as the mastermind of the killing by two of his arrested accomplices — Joel Ablay and Michael Cenil. The fourth suspect, who goes by the alias of Jun Maricar, is still being hunted by police.

Garcia said they have yet to gather enough evidence to prove or disprove Lumagui’s claim.

"Until we arrest the last suspect, we cannot say that Lumagui’s claims are true," Garcia said.

Leticia earlier told investigators that four robbers entered their house on Boyle street in Barangay Palana at 5 a.m. Two of the robbers hogtied and gagged her while the two others tied her sister.

Alicia might have fought back and was killed.

Responding policemen arrived at the house at 7:30 a.m. and found Alicia dead with a towel tied around her neck.

Police said Alicia’s bag was missing several items.

Leticia kept silent for three days, saying she was still in shock after what happened.

Investigation revealed the suspect were familiar with the routine of the Ramos sisters and knew their way around the house.