|
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
3 suspects in judge's slay arrested
By Jonathan F. Fernandez
MANILA -- Combined National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and police operatives apprehended on Tuesday three suspects in the killing last Saturday of Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Henrick Gingoyon.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo congratulated the police for the arrest.
In a press briefing, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. identified the suspects as Robel Barocaluer Jr., the alleged gunman; Rudy Baclor, who acted as lookout; and Filemon Romero, who provided the gun used in the crime.
Gonzalez said the three were captured in their suspected hideout in Cavite province.
He said the suspects have not identified who ordered the killing of Gingoyon, adding a personal grudge could be the motive behind the incident. He said they are looking into the judge's previous dispute with a police official whom he refused to name.
Upon learning his dispute with the late judge was among the angles being looked into, the police officer cited by Gonzales denied he ordered the murder of Gingoyon.
Senior Superintendent Manuel Barcena of the Philippine National Police-Civil Security Group (PNP-CSG) said he had a previous dispute with the judge but it was related to his job as a policeman and was nothing personal.
"I brought my battle with Judge Gingoyon to the legal forum until I won the ignorance of the law case I filed with the Supreme Court (SC) against the judge last October 2005," he said.
Gingoyon was walking toward his house in Soldier's Hills Village in Barangay Molino in Bacoor, Cavite after working out in a gym when a man blocked his path and shot at him repeatedly. Witnesses rushed the victim to a nearby hospital but he died before reaching it.
Barcena said he is willing to face any investigation to prove his innocence. He condoled with the family of the judge.
The row between the two began in 2002 when Gingoyon dismissed the drug cases lodged by the police colonel. A group of still unidentified men had strafed the judge's house and Barcena was accused of ordering it but he denied the allegation.
President Arroyo ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other law enforcement agencies to ensure there would be no cover up or foot dragging in the resolution of the murder of Gingoyon.
Arroyo acknowledged the arrest of three prime suspects in the judge's killing.
Gonzalez, in his report to Arroyo, said the suspects are undergoing tactical interrogation in Cavite.
He said he could not give any more details pending an investigation but one of the three suspects had already confessed to his participation in the killing. (With a report from JMR/Sunnex)
(January 4, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Cebu City murder cases doubled in '05