Barangay captain killed; assassin nabbed

A 22-year-old farmer almost got away after shooting to death a barangay captain in Las Piñas City had he not hid his gun in his shorts.

Operatives of the Las Piñas City police caught Lloyd de la Cruz, of Barangay Sto. Tomas, Infanta, Quezon province, with the caliber .45 pistol tucked in his shorts.

De la Cruz was arrested minutes after shooting Lino de Castro, chairman of Barangay Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City last Tuesday.

Metro Manila Police chief Director Vidal Querol presented De la Cruz to the media yesterday at Camp Crame.

Police said De Castro was standing in front of his house along Gladiola St. in Barangay Almanza and was conversing with his friends at around 5:45 a.m. when four suspects armed with short firearms opened fire and hit him.

He died on the spot and sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the head and body.

Some barangay watchmen chased the fleeing suspects, which include De la Cruz, three of whom managed to escape. De la Cruz almost got away himself but was not able to keep up with his companions because of the gun tucked in his shorts.

Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) recovered six empty shells and one slug of a caliber .45 Colt MKIV-Series 80 from the crime scene.

A murder case has been filed against De la Cruz who is now detained at the Las Piñas police station.

PO3 Joel Cambi, case investigator, said they still have to get a statement from De Castro’s wife that will help them determine the motive of the killing and track down the other suspects.