Failed business led to moneylender’s slay – QCPD

MANILA, Philippines - A losing business venture between moneylender Maria Salud Gatmaitan and her alleged killer, Von Bernardo, was what supposedly led to her death, police said yesterday.

The financial woes had greatly affected Bernardo’s wife, said Senior Superintendent Richard Albano, director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

Bernardo was arrested Saturday night after he was caught urinating along Tomas Morato Avenue. His companion and fellow suspect, Ariel Cristobal, allegedly drew a homemade gun and pulled the trigger twice but the firearm  failed.

Policemen found in possession of two men a grenade and illegal drugs. It was only after the arrest that policemen found out the two men were tagged in the 59-year-old Gatmaitan’s killing at her house in Barangay Salvacion Wednesday.

“We got lucky with their (Bernardo and Urbano’s) arrest,” Albano said, citing a city ordinance prohibiting public urination that became the basis for accosting Bernardo.

Albano also noted that the two men were “stoned” at the time of their arrest. They tested positive for shabu, he added.

Initially, it was Bernardo’s father-in-law, Cenen Urbano, who was arrested after his Mitsubishi Adventure was tagged as the getaway car. Urbano was also identified by two parking attendants as the one who told them to look after the vehicle when it was abandoned at the courtyard of Sto. Domingo Church.

P1-M investment

Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo Jr., commander of the QCPD Station 10, said Bernardo had started a business venture with another partner in which Gatmaitan supposedly pitched in.

“The woman had invested P1 million in that venture,” Pedrozo said in an interview.

But the venture failed and the business partner had reportedly fled, leaving Bernardo to deal with the money they owed Gatmaitan.

“There was supposedly a contract (between Gatmaitan and Bernardo) and we believe it was what the two men (Bernardo and Cristobal) were looking for when they went to the house,” Albano said.

“Without the contract, there wouldn’t be any problem,” Albano added.

According to Pedrozo, Gatmaitan had been pushed to the wall and even his wife had been affected by it.

“He (Bernardo) had paid the principal but he still had to settle the interest,” Pedrozo said.

Strong evidence

Gatmaitan’s neck was slashed with a pair of scissors while her 84-year-old mother was repeatedly pistol-whipped. Their helper was tied.

QCPD deputy director for administration Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said they have a strong case against the suspects, citing the testimony made by Gatmaitan’s 18-year-old helper.

Pagdilao said the helper pointed to Bernardo and an unidentified companion, who later turned out to be Cristobal.

He also said the bloodstained clothes of Bernardo, which the helper identified as the ones he wore at the time of the killing, were found in the recovered getaway car.

Pagdilao also noted that a camera, with its memory card still bearing Cristobal’s photographs, was found in the recovered Adventure.

Albano said they will submit a supplemental complaint to the prosecutor’s office.

Urbano underwent inquest proceedings for robbery with homicide and frustrated homicide but he was released Friday afternoon after the fiscal ordered further investigation of the cases against him.