This was disclosed last Tuesday by Chief Superintendent Eugene Martin, director of the Police Regional Office in Cordillera, who revealed that they have also uncovered the mastermind in the murder as a barangay leader of the same town.
"Suspects Bong Felix and Rene Yadao surrendered to the police last January 21 during a prearranged meeting in the house of a barangay councilman at Damsite, Anonat, Paracelis," Martin said.
He explained that prior to the meeting, personnel of Task Force Paracelis learned Felix and Yadao wanted to meet with Patrick Rafael, brother of the slain mayor, to clear their names and to disclose the extent of their participation in the killing. Several barangay councilmen of Anonat successfully facilitated the meeting. Upon learning of this, the same policemen immediately located the slain mayor's brother and escorted him to the meeting place.
"During the meeting, the duo revealed that six of them actually participated in the gruesome ambush-slay. Both claimed they only served as lookouts, while the other four were hired as gunmen. A barangay leader allegedly recruited and paid them to kill the mayor," Martin said.
On January 22, the third suspect, who was named as Tirso Abalos, was arrested in the same sitio where the meeting was held on the strength of a standing warrant. He was intercepted while on his way to Roxas, Isabela.
Although the three suspects named the alleged mastermind and their three other cohorts in the murder of Rafael, Martin said their identities are still being withheld pending the filing of appropriate charges against them.
In the meantime, murder charges have been filed in court against Felix, Yadao, and Abalos.
Rafael was shot dead while driving his pick-up truck along an upgraded portion of the road at Sinigpit, Butigue, Paracelis last December 25. His assailants also allegedly took his caliber .45 pistol and cellular phone away.
The victim's vehicle also sustained 80 gunshot holes.
"With the arrest of these three suspects due to the continuous support of witnesses and community leaders, and with the unremitting investigation still being conducted by our personnel, we and the family of the victim are hoping for the arrest of the other suspects and the soonest solution of this case," Martin added. (ENO)
