Man shot dead in La Libertad town was he one of Sestoso slay suspects?

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Senior Superintendent Raul Tacaca, director of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO) had confirmed that one of the suspects in the killing of broadcaster Edmund Sestoso was gunned down late Saturday afternoon at Barangay Poblacion in La Libertad town.

The victim was identified as Richard Bustamante, also known as “Dondon,” 33 years old, single and a resident of Barangay Buenavista in Guihulngan City.

Tacaca said in the complaint sheet that Dondon was included among the ‘John Does’ of suspects in the Sestoso killing, aside from the main suspect who was identified as Rene Bustamante.

However, the police of La Libertad said they have no idea over the alleged participation of Dondon in the killing of Sestoso, and they are also facing a blank wall on the death of Dondon as well.

Investigator on case Police Officer 2 Jerome Gargoles disclosed that he himself was surprised on where the information came from regarding the alleged involvement of Dondon in the Sestoso murder.

Gargoles said that news about Dondon being one of the suspects in the Sestoso slay case came as a surprise to the La Libertad Police. He said he could not answer the queries of Dondon’s family on why Dondon’s name was included in the list of suspects.

Dondon was with a backrider in his motorcycle on his way to Guihulngan City from the cockpit at Barangay Cantupa, La Libertad when unidentified riding-in-tandem men came up and shot him at close range in the different parts of his body, killing him on the spot. His backrider was wounded and taken to a hospital

Eyewitnesses said the killers of Dondon were wearing jackets and full-faced helmets. Police recovered from the crime scene six empty shells for .45-caliber pistol, and two cellphones of the victim, among others.