Tuesday, May 08, 2007 Ex-cop tagged poll bet killer
A DISMISSED policeman, described to be proficient in firing a gun, was tagged as the triggerman in the murder of Sta. Fe mayoral aspirant Rogelio Ilustrisimo Sr.
Acting Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Patrocinio Comendador and Senior Supt. Lani-o Nerez, head of Task Force Hope (Honest, orderly and peaceful elections), told reporters this policeman had been absent without official leave (Awol) until he was dropped from the rolls.
Nerez met with Task Force Ilustrisimo, headed by Comendador, yesterday morning at the CCPO Headquarters in Camp Sotero Cabahug for a case conference on the progress of the investigation.
“He is capable, trained and he can shoot well,” Comendador said when interviewed by reporters after the conference.
Pending the filing of a complaint, Comendador declined to disclose the identity of the gunman.
Ilustrisimo, 59, was gunned down in front of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office inside the Capitol compound last Wednesday morning.
He had just attended a disqualification hearing filed against him and his son Roger, incumbent Sta. Fe mayor, by Domingo Zaspa, who is also seeking the town’s mayoral post.
A lone gunman shot Ilustrisimo twice in the head killing him on the spot.
Awol
Comendador said the gunman went Awol about five years ago. He was dropped from the rolls in 2004 and had since engaged in gun-for-hire activities.
The gunman was reportedly hired by the mastermind to carry out the killing of Ilustrisimo. The gunman was identified by the witness, including a taxi driver and two tricycle drivers.
Hot pursuit
Comendador said the task force is still in hot pursuit against the gunman.
During the conference yesterday, Comendador said the task force decided to widen the manhunt outside Cebu Province.
Comendador said that if within the week, the manhunt will not yield any results, the task force will consult with the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office if the pieces of evidence they have now are substantial to file complaints, including against the alleged mastermind.
“We have a strong case against the gunman. But in filing the complaint, we are hoping to include the alleged mastermind. (That is why) we will consult with the prosecutors’ office,” Comendador said, adding that election-related angle remains to be the strongest motive in the killing.
Meanwhile, Zaspa did not show up at the Homicide Section yesterday.
Zaspa was invited by the task force to help in the investigation, particularly on his whereabouts during the killing.
Zaspa, in an earlier interview by Sun.Star Cebu columnist and broadcaster Pablito “Bob-by” Nalzaro, said he had already left the Capitol compound and was inside a taxi when he learned about the fatal shooting.
Comendador, however, said they received information that Zaspa was still at the compound during the killing.
With the contradicting information, Comendador said they need Zaspa’s statement to shed light on the matter.
Three security guards and a policeman detailed at the Capitol compound showed up at the Homicide Section to give their respective statements. (JST)
