Cops arrest wrong man in ambush probe

MANILA, Philippines – Police arrested Friday a man who resembled a sketch of the gunman in the failed ambush of a top official of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) in Pasig City, but released him after a witness said he was not the suspect.

The suspect, Jerry Stampador, did not resist arrest when Pasig City police officers came to his house at Napico in Barangay Manggahan.

Right after the ambush of DOTC Assistant Secretary Elmer Soneja last Wednesday, witness Maricel Kalaw, picked Sampador’s photo from the police rogues’ gallery as the alleged gunman.

Metro police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said the local police had a file photo of Stampador because of his involvement in several cases.

According to Rosales, Stampador had a confrontation with the same witness at the Pasig City police headquarters.

“The witness admitted that Stampador resembled the gunman but was positive that it was not him,” said Rosales, who immediately ordered the release of Stampador.

The STAR published sketches of the gunman and his companion, who shot at Soneja’s black Toyota Hi-Lux when it was caught in a traffic jam along Barangay Sta. Lucia at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The suspects fled on a motorcycle and a tricycle.

Senior Superintendent Mario Soriano, Task Force Soneja head, claimed their investigation is back to square one after the witness failed to positively identify Stampador as the gunman.

He said that because of the P1-million reward offered by DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza, they receive and verify tips every day. 

Soneja was listed as “under observation” at the Medical City and Soriano said doctors prevented police from interviewing him as of this time.

Soneja, as chairman of the DOTC awards and bids committee, testified before a Senate hearing last year that there is nothing wrong with the controversial $329-million ZTE broadband deal.