2 AWOL cops, pal probed on ex-insurance exec’s slay

MANILA, Philippines - Two policemen, who have been on absence without official leave (AWOL), and a companion were placed in police custody yesterday for the killing of former Insurance Commissioner Eduardo Malinis last month.

The three were identified as Alfredo Bautista, Arlan Aguilar, and Telesforo Aguilar, who are now locked up at the provincial detention cell.

Malinis, 75, was killed in his home in Bacoor, Cavite last May 23. Police found Malinis’ hands and legs tied with an electrical wire and his face covered with his own T-shirt. 

During interrogation, Bautista and Arlan introduced themselves as police officers, while Teleforo said he was an agent of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Upon verification, Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP public information chief, said Bautista and Arlan have been on AWOL while Teleforo is not connected with the CIDG.

Quoting Senior Superintendent Joselito Esquivel, Cavite police director, Sindac said the suspects were caught at a Batangas port onboard a gray Toyota Hi-Ace van, which witnesses said was the getaway vehicle of Malinis’ killers. 

Sindac said Esquivel’s team is probing the participation of the three suspects in the Malinis slay.

Pending the investigation, Sindac said the suspects were charged with usurpation of authority, while Bautista is also charged for possessing a 9-mm Beretta pistol with 14 live bullets without proper documents. – With Arnell Ozaeta