Barangay chairman killed in Makati home

Operatives of the Makati Police Department (MPD) are tracking down a gang of burglars responsible for killing a Manila barangay chairman in Makati City early yesterday.

The victim, identified as Chit Antonieto Areja, 47, was killed inside his house at 8231 Constancia street, Barangay Olympia, Makati City.

He was the barangay chairman of Barangay 283, Zone 26 of the third district of Manila, but also owned a house in Makati City.

Police said the incident happened at around 2:30 a.m. after two men entered his house.

The victim, awakened by noise, confronted the burglars, prompting the suspects to stab him.

Areja was rushed to the Makati Medical Center, but was pronounced dead upon arrival at around 2:58 a.m.

MPD Homicide Section operatives said the burglary appeared to be the main motive and the killing was only incidental.

However, investigators are digging deeper into the case to determine if the suspects may have actually intended to kill the barangay official.

Probers are also checking if the suspects took cash or any other valuable items from the victim’s house before they escaped.

Jail officer jailed

A jail officer was arrested for firing indiscriminately and threatening his neighbors early yesterday in Navotas.

Inspector Ferdinand Balgoa, investigation chief, arrested Jail Officer 1 Baldwin Chua, 26, of the Navotas Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and a resident of Kaunlaran Village in Navotas.

SPO1 Charlie Bontigao, officer-on-case, said the suspect was arrested on a complaint by his neighbors Reynaldo Solis, 41, fisherman; Jayvee Leongson, 15 and Alvin Medina, 15, both students, all of Barangay San Jose, Navotas.

Seized from the suspect was a caliber .45 pistol and a magazine loaded with six bullets. — With Jerry Botial