Cop hunted for murder of Calamba heiress

CALAMBA CITY — A Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge here has issued a warrant of arrest against a policeman who, together with three other policemen, is facing murder charge in connection with the killing of the only daughter of a rich businessman last Dec. 3.

The object of the warrant of arrest issued by Presiding Judge Norberto Geraldez of the Fourth Judicial Region RTC Branch 26 is PO1 Armando Macaraig of the PNP Regional Mobile Group Calabarzon. His known address is No. 739 Barangay Cale, Tanauan City.

In his order, Geraldez said that after a careful scrutiny and perusal of the records of the case, this Court finds the existence of probable cause warranting the immediate arrest of the accused.

The three other policemen allegedly involved in the case and have already been charged with murder are PO1 Roger Abulencia, of Taytay, Rizal; PO1 Abelardo Onte, of Malvar, Batangas; and PO1 Rovert Ardez, of Nagcarlan, Laguna.

They are now under police custody.

The victim was Jean Abalos, 32, daughter of couple Jose Abalos and Jane Abalos, owners of hardware and lumber businesses in Los Baños, Laguna, and residing at Barangay Pansol, this city.

An information prepared by Assistant City Prosecutor-designate Francisco Collado Jr. said that about 7 p.m. in the evening of Dec. 3, at Barangay Pansol, the accused, "conspiring, confederating, and mutually helping with one another, with intent to kill, evident premeditation, treachery and abuse of superior strength, did then and there intentionally, willfully, unlawfully and feloniously assaulted and shoot the defenseless and innocent Jean Abalos Y Castro, on different parts of the body thereby inflicting upon the latter fatal gunshot wounds which caused her immediate death."

Collado furthered: "In the commission of the offense, the qualifying circumstances on treachery, evident premeditation and abuse of superior strength were in attendance.

Geraldez issued the arrest order based on the resolution prepared by Collado that "there is sufficient ground to engender the belief that he (Macaraig) conspired with the other respondents in the killing of the aforesaid victim."

In his resolution, the assistant city prosecutor-designate recommended that Macaraig be included in the charge for murder.

The wanted policeman was scheduled to undergo preliminary investigation on Jan. 15 but he failed to appear and submit his counter-affidavit and controverting evidence.

Initial police report submitted to Region IV director Chief Superintendent Enrique Galang Jr. by Laguna provincial police director Senior Supt. Edwin Corvera stated that Abalos was driving home in her Mercedez Benz about 7 p.m., Dec. 3 when a car blocked her path near her home in Pansol. The report said that Abalos, fearing that she was about to be abducted, rammed her way past the car, causing a collision.

Police said her brother had also been kidnapped a few years back and that the fear that she was the object of an abduction attempt this time prompted her to ram her way past the car that blocked her path.

The shooting followed. The victim’s body bore gunshot wounds from 9mm and .45 caliber pistols.

The men’s car, according to police, was later found with a license plate in the trunk that was registered to Macaraig.