Pasay sheriff killed in Olongapo City

OLONGAPO CITY — A court officer in Pasay City was killed here yesterday by a local businessman whose vehicle was about to be repossessed by the court, police said.

Sheriff Ariel Valero, who was assigned at the Regional Trial Court(RTC) Branch 44 in Pasay City, was dead on arrival at the James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital here after a shooting incident at about 3:50 p.m., said Senior Superintendent Abelardo Villacorta, Olongapo City police director.

Villacorta identified the suspect as Ros Aranzanso, proprietor of the Car-Sor Rent-A-Car in this city, and a resident of #735 Rizal Avenue, corner 7th street, West Tapinac, in this city.

Aranzanso was arrested by the police near the crime scene as he tried to escape immediately after the shooting, Villacorta said.

Police confiscated from Aranzanso a .45-caliber automatic pistol, with one live ammunition, and also recovered five empty shells from the crime scene.

Aranzanso’s second shooting victim, identified as Rey Max Bongcauel Dimandan, credit investigator of Crypton Credit Corp. in Pasay City, was still in serious condition in the same hospital as of presstime.

According to police sources, prior to the shooting, Valero and Dimandan talked with the suspect regarding his vehicle which was about to be repossessed by the court.

Aranzanso, sources added, has apparently failed to remit payments for the van to Crypton Credit Corp., which was now going after the vehicle.

After the meeting, however, Aranzanso followed Dimandan to the repossessed vehicle, a white Hi-Ace Grandia, with plate number XGP-201.

The suspect reportedly fired two shots at Dimandan, resulting in two bullet holes on the windshield of the vehicle, but the latter ran towards Valero, who was in a another vehicle, a Mitsubishi L300 van parked half a block away.

Pursuing Dimandan, Aranzanso also caught up with Valero and fired several shots at the victim, hitting him in the head and body.

Villacorta said murder charges will be filed against Aranzanso after full investigation.