2 rob-slay suspects fall

MANILA, Philippines - Two men, arrested Saturday night for urinating in public and trying to shoot the police officers who accosted them, turned out to be wanted for the killing of a moneylender in Quezon City, an official said yesterday.

Von Bernardo, 36, was reportedly urinating along the sidewalk along Tomas Morato Avenue at past 9 p.m. when police officers on patrol spotted him, according to Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo Jr., commander of the Quezon City Police District Station10.

As the police officers approached, Bernardo’s companion, Ariel Cristobal, 30, “drew his (homemade .38 caliber revolver) and pulled the trigger but it failed,” Pedrozo told The STAR in an interview.

The two men tested positive for drug use, he added. Bernardo and Cristobal were caught carrying shabu, according to Pedrozo. He also said Bernardo had a grenade.

QCPD director Senior Superintendent Richard Albano said it was only after the arrest of the two men that investigators verified they were the ones wanted for the killing of Maria Salud Gatmaitan during a robbery at her house in Barangay Salvacion Wednesday morning.

QCPD deputy director for administration Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said Cristobal is reportedly the third man involved in Gatmaitan’s killing.

Pedrozo also said the two men were pointing at each other when asked about the missing items from Gatmaitan’s house, including pieces of jewelry and checks allegedly taken from the victim.

Family matters

Bernardo and Cristobal are facing charges of robbery with homicide and frustrated homicide for the attack that happened on Wednesday morning in Barangay Salvacion.

The attackers slashed Gatmaitan’s throat with a pair of scissors and repeatedly pistol-whipped her mother.

The first suspect arrested was 72-year-old Cenen Urbano, whose vehicle was identified as the getaway car. Urbano is Bernardo’s father-in-law.

Pagdilao said Urbano’s wife, Dolores, is a relative of the slain woman’s husband.

Albano said two parking attendants identified Urbano as the man who told them to look after his Mitsubishi Adventure, which he abandoned at the courtyard of the Sto. Domingo Church minutes after the killing.

Bernardo and Cristobal were said to be the ones who entered Gatmaitan’s house, while Urbano remained inside the Adventure parked outside.

Pagdilao said the same car contained bloodstained clothes Bernardo allegedly wore during the killing.

Albano said they also found a camera memory card containing Bernardo’s photographs. When the photos were shown to Gatmaitan’s helper, she said he was one of the men who entered the house.

Money, money

According to Albano, Gatmaitan’s husband, Isagani, said his wife may have been killed over her moneylending business.

Albano said Bernardo’s wife had reportedly issued checks to the slain woman but wanted them back.

Initially, Urbano, who denied involvement in the killing, underwent inquest proceedings. He was released Friday afternoon after the fiscal ordered further investigation on the complaints against him.