EARIST president eyed in exec's slay

MANILA, Philippines - Investigators are looking into the possible involvement of Eduardo Caillo, Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) president, in the May 12 ambush of the school’s vice president, an official said yesterday. 

Victim Noel Cabrera’s older brother, Emmanuel, 51, gave his statement to the Manila Police District (MPD) homicide division yesterday, pointing to Caillo as “a person who could have reason to silence him.”

In his affidavit, Emmanuel mentioned several circumstances that could have triggered the attack on his brother. “It’s all circumstantial as of today, but we are closely looking at his statement,” Police Officer 3 Alonzo Layugan said.

Emmanuel said his brother refused to sign a P2-million cash advance of Caillo, who had just come from a suspension. He said the school president may have also harbored a grudge against his brother for receiving a subpoena addressed to Caillo from the Office of the Ombudsman.

A source inside the school said Caillo is set to be suspended again, apparently because of another case filed against him. Cabrera was slated to take over the top post as officer-in-charge as soon as the suspension takes effect, the insider said.

The investigator said Cabrera’s widow would also appear before the MPD to issue a statement and would likely substantiate Emmanuel’s claim.

Ric Albano, Caillo’s lawyer, said the school president was out of town.

More than meets the eye

Layugan said Emmanuel’s statement prompted them to review the case of Alvin Asuncion, EARIST administrative officer, who was ambushed on April 14, 2010.

According to police investigators, Asuncion was allegedly supposed to sign a check but failed to do so before he was ambushed along Araneta Avenue in Quezon City.

Layugan said the similarities between the two cases gave them reason to believe one person may be behind the two attacks.

Cabrera, 46, joined EARIST in 2003 and was reportedly being groomed to be the next president of the college.

He was shot four times by motorcycle-riding men a few minutes after he and EARIST employee Rolando Peraldo left the school, according to MPD investigators.