Alleged Dominguez carjack gang member nabbed

MANILA, Philippines - An alleged member of the Dominguez carjacking group, identified as one of the men who reportedly kidnapped car dealer Venson Evangelista, was arrested by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents in Las Piñas City yesterday.

In a report to NBI Director Nonnatus Caesar Rojas, the agents identified the suspect as Joel Jacinto, 42, who gave the name Eduardo Fernandez in his booking sheet.

The alias Eduardo Fernandez was also used by self-confessed hitman Rolando Talban, who identified Jacinto as one of his handlers when he was arrested in September. Police said Jacinto was also known as Boy Fortune and Boy Mekaniko.

Talban, brothers Raymond and Roger Dominguez and Jayson Miranda were charged based on the testimony of Alfred Mendiola, who said he posed as a potential buyer of a sport utility vehicle Evangelista was selling on the day he was kidnapped. Mendiola was killed last May.

In September, Calabarzon police director Chief Superintendent James Melad released a photo of Jacinto and said a P500,000 bounty awaits anyone who could give information leading to his arrest.

Melad said Jacinto posed as a car mechanic when the Dominguez gang kidnapped Evangelista and another car dealer, Emerson Lozano.

Jacinto and Talban were involved in a series of carjackings in Cavite and nearby provinces, he added.

Meanwhile, the marathon trial for the kidnapping and killing of Evangelista may start next year.

Assistant City Prosecutor Ramoncito Ocampo said Judge Maria Rita Sarabia of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 215 gave them the assurance yesterday.

Ocampo said the hearings will start once the pre-trial conference, in which lawyers of both camps will submit the list of witnesses and documents they intend to present, is finished.

The pre-trial was scheduled yesterday in the New Bilibid Prison, where Raymond was detained after his conviction by a Bulacan court for another carjacking case. It was postponed after Roger’s lawyer failed to appear in court. – Sandy Araneta, Aie Balagtas See