Raps set vs Pangasinan publisher’s attackers

STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan, Philippines – Police are set to file frustrated murder charges against two arrested suspects in the shooting of a local newspaper publisher here last Tuesday morning.

Chief Inspector Giovanni Mangonon, this town’s police chief, told The STAR yesterday they were preparing documents and gathering supplemental evidence so they could file an airtight case against Jerry Aquino, 42, of Barangay Luyan, Mapandan town, and William Garcia, 27, of Bautista town, who were tagged by Jaime Aquino, publisher of the Northern Star, as his alleged attackers. The two suspects are now in police custody. 

Aquino, 45, also mentioned a certain Berosel of Malasiqui town, who is now being hunted down.

Based on police intelligence reports, Mangonon said there are two known guns-for hire by the name of Berosil from Malasiqui, one of whom is behind bars.

Mangonon said they arrested Jerry Aquino and Garcia based on a statement that the publisher gave and signed pointing to the two and Berosel as his attackers.

Mangonon said he visited Aquino in a hospital in Dagupan City Tuesday night after he underwent surgery. A .45-caliber bullet hit Aquino in the back and pierced through his chest.

Aquino was shot while reading a newspaper in a waiting shed in Barangay Minien West here last Tuesday morning.

Though wounded, he managed to run toward his car parked about 10 meters away to get his guns – a .45-caliber pistol and a 9-mm pistol. Police said both guns are licensed.

Mangonon said they were probing various angles, from personal to job-related, as possible motive behind the slay attempt on Aquino.

Aquino is a co-respondent in the murder case for the gun-slaying last December of Infanta town mayor Ruperto Martinez filed with the Department of Justice against Gov. Amado Espino Jr. and first district Rep. Jesus Celeste. The National Bureau of Investigation filed the case based on the testimony of Aquino’s 16-year-old son who alleged that he heard Espino, Celeste and his father plot Martinez’s killing. Both officials have denied the allegations.