CIDG takes over Araneta employee slay probe

MANILA, Philippines - The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has taken over the investigation of the recent killing of a community relations officer of the Araneta-owned Carmel Development Inc. (CDI) in Caloocan City.

The takeover was done after some local politicians – who allegedly financed informal settlers in Pangarap Village to fight eviction by CDI – had been tagged in the killing, with the city police failing to arrest or even identify the killers.

Among those being hunted by the CIDG are accomplices of the assailants who allegedly connived with a media outfit to set up victim Ricardo Mago for an interview before he was gunned down.

CDI chairman Gregorio Araneta III said CIDG probers are targeting a syndicate – which reportedly includes elected officials – collecting P2.5 million from some 40,000 households in the village every month.

“This syndicate uses lies, rallies, harassment and now murder,” he told The STAR.

But Araneta – husband of Irene Marcos, daughter of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos – did not name names in deference to the ongoing investigation.

No harassment

Araneta also vehemently denied the allegation of the Caloocan council that his firm has been harassing the residents of Pangarap Village.

 â€œIt is important to note we don’t harass informal settlers because we use the legal system to achieve our objectives. We have been peaceful in convincing residents to relocate to NHA (National Housing Authority)-provided sites, providing them with free relocation assistance,” the businessman stressed.

CDI earlier alleged that the syndicate, in connivance with several politicians, has been blocking the relocation of the residents because they will lose their monthly income and “sure votes” during elections.

Araneta also said the CIDG is also investigating alleged threats received by other officials of CDI working in the area.

Mago was gunned down by two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle on May 27, a few hours before Mayor Oscar Malapitan met with more than 100 Pangarap Village residents seeking help against what they described to be “a systematic harassment” by CDI.

The city council has passed a resolution condemning the alleged harassment.

Land row

Araneta accused city officials of being behind the residents’ decision to reject a Supreme Court ordering them to vacate the area.

In the ruling, the high court held that the property was taken from the Araneta family without just compensation.

Pangarap Village was given to members of the Presidential Security Group via Presidential Decree 293 issued by late President Ferdinand Marcos in 1973. However, the Supreme Court declared the decree as unconstitutional in the Tuazon vs Register of Deeds case in 1988.

Formerly called Barrio Makatipo, Pangarap Village is composed of Barangays 181 and 182 and has an aggregate area of 156 hectares. The total population is estimated to be close to 40,000 persons.

According to a memorandum issued by CDI to Barangay 182 chairman Rowell Brin, the property is “being considered by the government as the future Metro Rail Transit depot for MRT 7 that will run from EDSA to Tungkong Mangga, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.”