5th suspect in Capiz vice mayor’s slay falls

MANILA, Philippines - A suspect in the killing of Mambusao, Capiz Vice Mayor Abel Martinez was arrested in Quezon City, police said yesterday.

Geger Francisco was caught at the corner of Katipunan Avenue and Aurora Boulevard in Cubao by a special task force, Western Visayas police director Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said.

He said Francisco is one of nine men accused of killing Martinez on May 4 last year. Mambusao Regional Trial Court Branch 21 Judge Daniel Antonio Amular issued arrest warrants for those identified in Martinez’s murder.

He recommended on April 10 that no bail be granted to Francisco and four other suspects who have been arrested.

Cruz said Francisco’s arrest is another significant development toward the resolution of the case. Francisco, detained at the Quezon City Police District Station 8, is the fifth suspect to be arrested for the killing of Martinez, who was shot dead in front of his house.

Confession

The first to be arrested was Roger Loredo, who was hospitalized after being wounded in a grenade blast that also killed fellow suspect Gilbie Principe in Calinog, Iloilo on July 15, 2012. The blast occurred as they were fleeing from police officers pursuing them after they ignored a police checkpoint.

Loredo, in his written confession, identified Principe as the gunman and Mambusao mayoral bet Leodegario Labao Jr. as the alleged mastermind. He said Labao reportedly hired them to kill Martinez for P150,000, of which he received P40,000.

Loredo told police that the plan to kill Martinez was hatched in March 2012 at a cockpit in Barangay Bating, also in Mambusao. Labao would have been pitted against Martinez in the mayoral election in Mambusao.

Investigators said Labao was involved in controversies, including the demolition of the Mambusao town plaza, which his construction company rebuilt.

Martinez condemned the demolition of the town plaza in a privilege speech before the town council.

Loredo also alleged that they were contacted on Labao’s behalf by Staff Sgt. Rommel Pamotillo, who is undergoing medical treatment at a hospital in Manila. Pamotillo belongs to the Philippine Army Intelligence Group.

Loredo is detained at the Iloilo Provincial Integrated Jail in Pototan, Iloilo for murder and frustrated murder with the use of unlicensed firearms and attempted murder, which were committed on separate occasions.

Another suspect, Suny David, 28, surrendered to the Police Regional Office 6 last Thursday.