Man tagged in ex-cop’s ambush caught at Crame

MANILA, Philippines - A man accused of ambushing a retired police officer Wednesday night was arrested at Camp Crame, which houses the Philippine National Police headquarters, yesterday.

Pilagio Facunla, 42, was allegedly one of two gunmen who shot at Eduardo Valle, 47, and his two companions in Fairview, said Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Chief Superintendent Mario dela Vega.

According to Dela Vega, the arrested suspect is a staff of Valle’s estranged business partner, identified as Emilio Castillo. He said a business feud is believed to be behind the attack.

Valle emerged unscathed from the incident but his wife, Czarina, was injured and sustained a gunshot wound in the abdomen while their companion, Freda Gallego, was grazed by a bullet in the right forearm.

QCPD deputy director for administration Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said Valle went to them Thursday night and identified Facunla.

Superintendent Virgilio Fabian, commander of the QCPD Station 5, said Facunla was arrested in Camp Crame yesterday afternoon inside his employer’s sport utility vehicle.

“Even the boss was there,” Fabian said, but noted they could not immediately arrest Castillo since they did not have enough evidence.

Fabian, however, noted Castillo was already a suspect. He said Castillo and Valle were former business partners in a lending business. Their clients are also retired policemen.

The two had a falling out and had reportedly been at odds over receivables amounting to P450,000.

“They had a verbal argument earlier this week and Valle even threw papers at Castillo. After that, Valle claimed Castillo told him: ‘May araw ka rin (Your time will come),’” Fabian said.

On Wednesday night, the Valles were on their way home to Bulacan from Camp Crame when they were ambushed along Commonwealth Avenue near Tullahan Bridge at past 9 p.m. Wednesday.