Friday, August 08, 2003
Taxi driver nabbed for gun possession
By Gwen P. Posadas and Raquel C. Bagnol
AUTHORITIES hit two birds with one stone after the arrest of a 25-year-old taxicab driver for illegal possession of firearms led to solving the murder of a doctor eight months ago.
Constancio Amboyon Jr., alias Jojo, 25, of Purok 1, Barangay Salvacion, Mawab, Compostela Valley is not only facing charges of illegal possession of firearm before the Regional Trial Court, but also for the murder of the late Dr. Augusto Alvarez who was shot dead in front of his residence on December 27, 2002.
In a joint affidavit executed by SPO2 Marcial Gabunada, PO1 Jeffrey Ayop and PO1 Fernando Sta. Ana Jr. of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 11, they received information around 6:20 a.m. on August 2 that a taxicab driver was carrying a gun.
A team was immediately formed and the three CIDG men who posed as passengers boarded the Jets taxi, with plate number LVZ-765, body number 38 driven by Amboyon, near the Davao Medical Center.
Upon reaching the corner of J.P. Laurel Ave. and Doņa Vicenta Village main road, Amboyon accidentally pulled up the lower edge of his shirt and the handle of the gun protruded.
Gabunada immediately sent a text message to another team of CIDG men waiting at corner #3 of Doņa Vicenta Village.
As soon as they approached the area, the CIDG men ordered Amboyon to stop and arrested him around 7:45 a.m.
He was caught in possession of a caliber .357 magnum revolver.
Upon learning of Amboyon's arrest, a certain James Bangot, alias Jimboy, voluntarily surrendered to the CIDG on August 4.
He was accompanied by his sister and aunt to give his personal knowledge on the circumstances behind the killing of Dr. Alvarez.
Bangot also endorsed the motorcycle used in Alvarez' killing for safekeeping and exhibit.
Based on Bangot testimonies, CIDG formally charged Thursday four suspects in the killing of the medical practitioner before City Prosecutor's Office.
Charged were Dario Malalis Jr., of Fishport Ave., Corner Andaya St., Brgy Daliao, Toril, Davao City; Gonzalo Villarta alia Galo, of Regner Relocation, Tibungo; Amboyon and Bangot whose address was withheld for security purposes.
Amboyon and Bangot are now under the custody of CIDG, while Malalis and Villarta are still at large.
Alvarez, a resident of Cor. Waling-waling-Rose Sts., San Nicolas, Barangay Daliao, Toril, was shot by one of the suspects around 5:50 p.m on December 27 last year. The suspects immediately fled the crime scene onboard a black Suzuki motorcycle after the incident.
Alvarez succumbed to gunshot wounds on his neck and head and was brought by his wife, Dr. Gina Alvarez, to the Sanitarium Hospital in Bangkal, but was declared dead upon arrival.
CIDG's initial investigation revealed the gunman was identified as Amboyon, allegedly hired by Villarta to do the job.
Both were allegedly following the orders of Malalis.
Malalis was reported to have contracted Villarta to do the job for P25,000.
Villarta in turn used Bangot's motorcycle without the latter's knowledge of the assassination plot against Alvarez.
Authorities presented Amboyon's photograph and firearm to Bangot. He positively identified Amboyon as the gunman who shot the victim and the seized firearm as the same one used in the shooting incident.
The motive behind Alvarez' killing have yet to be established.
(August 8, 2003 issue)
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