Bayan leader’s killer nabbed

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Police arrested the suspected triggerman in the killing of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general in Pangasinan yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Alan Purisima, provincial police director, identified the suspect as Joel Flores, 28, of Barangay Domampot, Asingan, who allegedly killed Jose Doton, 62, on May 16 in Barangay Camanggaan, San Nicolas town.

Purisima told local reporters here yesterday that Flores was arrested while a composite team of Philippine National Police (PNP) Task Force Doton is conducting follow-up operation regarding the ownership of a Honda motorcyle believed to have been used in the crime.

Purisima said an informant tipped off the police on the whereabouts of the motorcycle. Task Force Doton led by Superintendent Noli Taliño made a follow-up investigation at the Land Transportation Office about the ownership of a red Honda TMX with license plate number HM8571.

Records show that it was owned by Flores, which prompted the police to conduct surveillance on the suspect.

On June 1, while under surveillance, Flores reportedly poked a handgun at members of the police team, which led to his arrest later.

A caliber .45 Mark IV was seized from Flores and was brought to Urdaneta City Crime Laboratory for cross matching with the empty shells recovered in the crime scene.

The result showed that the shells matched with Flores’ gun. Flores was brought yesterday to the main headquarters of the PNP in Camp Crame.

The task force also filed illegal possession of firearms against him at the Regional Trial Court in Urdaneta City.

A separate attempted murder and frustrated murder cases are also being prepared to be filed against him after another witness pointed to Flores as the gunman.

Doton was the president of Tignay Dagiti Mannalon nga Mangwayawaya iti Agno (TIMMAWA), a group that opposed the construction of the San Roque Dam. He was also the president of San Nicolas Farmers Federation and barangay treasurer of Cabaloan, San Nicolas.

At around 10:45 a.m. on May 16, Doton was shot dead by two motorcycle-riding men while his brother, Cancio, sustained gunshot wounds but survived.

Purisima said the police are still exploring all possible angles behind the killing, including politics.

Flores, however denied any involvement in the killing. - With Jun Elias, Myds Supnad, Cecille Suerte Felipe