Eastern Police District chief vows no whitewash in probe of guitarist's killing

MANILA, Philippines - Eastern Police District director Chief Superintendent Lino Calingasan vowed yesterday there will be no whitewash in the investigation into the killing Tuesday of a guitarist and the wounding of his broker companion during an alleged shootout with a police official in Pasig City.

Calingasan ordered that the suspect Senior Inspector Narciso Cajipe, 31, be placed behind bars while investigators are gathering sufficient evidence against him for the killing of guitarist Jonathan Nuydar, 21, and the wounding of Orly Gagui, 29. “I’ve ordered Cajipe detained and be placed under investigation so the appropriate case would be filed against him,” said Calingasan, referring to Cajipe, who is assigned at the EPD’s District Investigation and Detective Management Division. Calingasan said no special treatment should be accorded to Cajipe, even though he is a police official from EPD.

Initial investigation showed that Cajipe and Nuydar were maintaining a relationship with a certain Mitch, who is also a band member. Nuydar and Gagui engaged in a shouting match with Cajipe after the duo found him inside the house of Mitch in Barangay Rosario at about 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.

At the height of the heated argument, Gagui allegedly opened fire at Cajipe but missed. Cajipe returned his fire hitting him in the feet.

Nuydar sustained gunshot wounds in both thigh and died due to loss of blood, the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) reported.

Cajipe is presently detained at the Pasig City police detention center.