Monday, August 11, 2008 Police in custody of Matina massacre witness
A WITNESS in the murder of the Cajoles couple, exactly two weeks ago, is now in the custody of the Davao City Police Office while another witness is still being "talked to".
However, City Police Director Ramon Apolinario said they still have not identified the motive behind the murder of the couple.
"There are a number of things that must be taken into consideration," Apolinario said.
Apolinario added that only one cartographic sketch was released so far. An affidavit is also under wraps and will be filed before the city prosecutor's office anytime soon.
"We are finalizing it, as we want it to be leak-proof," Apolinario said.
As for the other witness, Apolinario had only this to say: "We are still convincing the other witness to give a statement."
It has been two weeks since a couple was strafed right outside their house in a residential area of Matina, Davao City.
The couple, Rene and Mollie Cajoles has just arrived home from work and from their children's school when the gunmen killed them while still inside their vehicle.
The 12-year-old son, Rene Jr., was also hit in the head, but survived, although in critical condition. The helper was also wounded, while the eldest girl, a college freshman, survived.
Cajoles was a former leader of the New People's Army (NPA) in the 1980s who went by the name of Ka Marvin. He was a contemporary of 1980s rebel spokesman Ariel Badiang. The Cajoleses own a rice stall at the Agdao Public Market.
The victims' Isuzu Sportivo has just slowed down outside their residence when three armed men opened fire.
Police found 20 empty shells and five slugs of a caliber .45 pistol at the crime scene. The vehicle was riddled with bullets.
Talomo Police Station Chief Michael John Dubria said the suspects fled on board three motorcycles.
As of Tuesday, police are looking into four angles as motives for the crime. These are robbery, Cajoles's membership with the Malalag Banana Growers in Malalag, Davao del Sur, his former involvement with the NPA, and business rivalry.(Carlo P. Mallo)
