Navotas barangay exec’s murderers remain free

Two months after the killing of Navotas City barangay chairman Rolando San Juan, the local police have yet to identify and arrest the perpetrators.

San Juan, 54, chairman of Barangay Bangkulasi, was shot dead on Jan. 28 while attending a flag-raising ceremony in front of their barangay hall.

Armed with a .45 caliber pistol, the gunman shot San Juan in the back of the head in the presence of several barangay officials. The suspect fled aboard a black motorcycle driven by a cohort.

The next day, Mayor Toby Tiangco gave the city police, headed by Senior Superintendent Eric Reyes, one month to resolve the case. He also offered a P500,000 reward to anybody who could give information that would lead to the identification and arrest of the suspects.

According to Nora Pangilinan, Bangkulasi barangay secretary, they have no more idea on the developments in San Juan’s case but said the victim’s family is staying in the province for their safety.

The STAR sent a text message to Reyes yesterday but he said they are still working on the case.

Sources said San Juan’s killers could be the same group of gunmen who also killed Barangay Punturin, Valenzuela City chairman Benjie Trinidad on July 30 last year during a flag-raising ceremony. Trinidad’s killers have not been yet arrested.

The same sources said these hired guns are bold and daring, and their services could be availed of at P100,000 per operation. – Pete Laude