Pangasinan governor tagged in mayor’s killing

MANILA, Philippines - After being linked to jueteng, Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr. is facing another criminal investigation, this time as the alleged mastermind in the killing of Infanta town Mayor Ruperto Martinez in December last year.

In a complaint filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) sought the indictment of Espino, Pangasinan first district Rep. Jesus Celeste and their associate, Jaime Aquino, for murder.

The NBI cited the testimony of a teenager who claimed “personal knowledge” of the killing.

The 16-year-old witness told investigators that he was present during a meeting at a beach resort in Bolinao town in November 2011 when Espino allegedly planned the killing.

In his affidavit, the witness said he heard the governor saying that Martinez should be killed to prevent him from linking Espino to a supposed mining project anomaly in the province.

In the same meeting, the witness said Celeste introduced a certain “Kardo” who was tasked to kill the mayor.

The witness said he saw Celeste meet with Kardo again, a day after Martinez was gunned down.

“I heard Congressman Celeste telling Kardo to go to Infanta to check if Martinez is already dead or still alive,” the witness said.

He identified Kardo as Ricardo Legarda, one of the two suspects arrested by police. He said the other suspect is Richard Manuel, a bodyguard of Celeste.

The witness has been placed under the witness protection program.

He told NBI probers he was aware of the earlier murders of barangay kagawad Jovencia Gasmin and Bayambang Councilor Nato Sabangan.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the DOJ would conduct a preliminary investigation into the complaint.