Charges filed vs ex-Marine for Tarlac rob-slay

CAMP MAKABULOS, Tar-lac — Two counts of murder and another count of frustrated murder have been filed against a former Marine for last Monday’s P2-million heist in the province that left a bank executive and his security guard dead, and a supermarket messenger seriously wounded.

Former Marine sergeant Randy Raquino was positively identified as one of two gunmen who robbed and killed Carlito Rodrigo, manager of the Bank of the Philippine Islands-Paniqui branch, and his security escort, Bienvenido Napura.

Raquino was also charged with robbery for taking the P2 million in cash that the victims were carrying.

Rodrigo and Napura had just come from the Red Camia Supermarket where they collected the store’s deposit for the day, when two motorcycle-riding gunmen blocked their Mitsubishi Lancer and fired at them.

Neil Bautista, a messenger of the supermarket, was wounded in the attack. He positively identified Raquino as one of the gunmen from police files.

Raquino, a native of Vintar, Ilocos Sur, was last known to be residing in Barangay Poblacion Norte, Paniqui town.

Senior Superintendent Maximo Calimlim, provincial police director, said Raquino is also wanted for a string of robbery-holdups and murder, homicide and rape cases. — Benjie Villa