CIDG nabs suspect in death of BIR executive

MANILA, Philippines - Agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Good Friday arrested the alleged triggerman in the assassination last February of an executive of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in Antipolo City.

 CIDG director, Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao said suspect Armando Cariño, alias Manding was arrested by joint elements of the CIDG and Rizal policemen in Antipolo City. 

Pagdilao said the CIDG has been tracking Cariño since he went into hiding immediately after the killing of Marcelino Yap, 46, regional district officer of BIR District 45 which has an office in Antipolo City, last Feb. 17. 

Yap had just been dropped off by his driver and bodyguard and was walking to the L and M Grill and Restobar when he was allegedly shot at close range by Cariño using a .45 caliber pistol.

Cariño died on the spot after sustaining five gunshot wound.

 Police earlier said Cariño and a certain Litom tried to flee aboard a motorcycle but Yap’s driver rammed the victim’s sports utility vehicle on the motorcycle, prompting them to leave it and run towards Barangay Masinag.

 Following Yap’s murder, Pagdilao, who was then police director for Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon, ordered a manhunt for Cariño who was positively identified by two BIR employees as the gunman. 

Pagdilao said Cariño was traced by CIDG agents through his nephew,  Andy Cariño, a security guard who owns the Honda motorcycle used in the ambush-slay. 

CIDG investigators found out that the motorcycle was bought by the suspect but was registered under Andy’s name.

 Further investigation showed that the alleged gunman was also charged with illegal possession of firearms on Feb. 27, 2008.

 Pagdilao said that with the arrest of the alleged gunman, the CIDG now can focus on the mastermind of Yap’s murder as well as determine the motive for the slay.