Police use arrest warrant for illegal drugs, suspect in slay of cop nabbed

CEBU, Philippines - Three days following his death, comrades of PO2 Gerlito Estremos at the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) arrested one of the suspects who mauled and shot him to death Saturday dawn.

CCPO director Mariano Natu-el, Jr. identified the suspect as Ian Canseco, 34, whom they arrested Monday night in Barangay Kamagayan by virtue of a warrant of arrest for illegal drug possession.

A male witness, Natu-el said, identified Canseco as the one in the video footage who mauled and shot Estremos.

“The name of one of the suspects came on the evening of Sunday that led us the background and identity of the said suspect,” said Natu-el.

Police first came up with the suspect’s facial composite through the features given by the witness.

“We showed him the picture of Canseco and he positively identified through this picture. After that, we searched the name, his name came out and we’re able to dig up and (have) found out there is a drugs case,” said Natu-el.

Natu-el said the witness, a driver, was “100 percent” sure of Canseco as the suspect since the headlight of the vehicle he was riding at the time of the incident focused on the commotion.

Around 9 p.m. on Monday, CCPO operatives served the warrant of arrest against Canseco for violation of Section 11 of the Republic Act 9165 issued by Judge Samuel Malazarte of the Regional Trial Court Branch 15 in March 19.

The operation was carried out by members of the City Intelligence Branch (CIB), Homicide Section, and the Investigation and Detective Management Branch, which comprised a special team created to investigate Estremos’ killing.

“Close range ang witness sa crime scene. Maski unsaon pagbali-bali sa angle, he pointed positively sa suspek,” said CIB chief Romeo Santander.

Santander revealed that Canseco is engaged in illegal drug business and has even pending cases for illegal drugs.

Based on the manner Estremos was killed, the CCPO acting director analyzed that the killing was motivated by personal reasons.

Natu-el further said that it was not yet confirmed whether Estremos confronted the two suspects for not wearing helmet.

“Basin naa siya’y gisulti na nakapalagot g’yud sa suspek,” Natu-el theorized.

The CCPO yesterday showed the media the video footage of the suspect repeatedly beating up the policeman.

The suspect, clad in a white shirt and maong pants, his face not visible, was also seen grappling for Estremos’ gun. It was at this point that Estremos was shot, but this was no longer seen in the video.

The suspect’s cohort, who drove the motorcycle, was also not seen in the video.

Natu-el requested the media not to interview Canseco as they are still conducting a follow-up operation to arrest the remaining suspect.

Canseco, Natu-el said, was uncooperative and denied the accusation.

Natu-el said they are digging deeper in their investigation to identify Canseco’s cohort.

“We don’t want any mistaken identity nor ‘fall guy’ in the arrest of suspects responsible for the crime. We have information already but as of press time, it can’t be divulged yet so as not to jeopardize the ongoing investigation,” he said.

Estremos’ widow, Elmera, urged the suspects to surrender.

“Makonsensya unta mo, ang inyong gipatay daghang gibilin. Bisag gikulata lang unta ninyo, wala na lang ninyo patya,” Elmera, crying, said over GMA Balitang Bisdak yesterday afternoon.

The policeman left behind his wife and six kids, the eldest is 12 years old.

The National Police Commission (Napolcom), Elmera said, offered scholarship for their six children from elementary to college.

Natu-el said Elmera will receive P250,000 from Malacañang, P153,000 from Police Regional Office 7, and other financial assistance from the CCPO.

Estremos was conducting a roving patrol while searching for two motorcycle-riding men who earlier stole his helmet when he encountered the suspects on board a motorcycle at corner P. Del Rosario and Junquera streets.

It was believed that he confronted the two for not wearing any helmet, prompting one of the suspects to maul and shoot him to death./LPM (FREEMAN)