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Friday, March 24, 2006
Cop, 6 others tied to slaying of governor's kin
By Joey P. Nacalaban and Lizanilla J. Amarga
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Authorities have linked a police officer and six other civilians to the murder of Manuel Natimdim and Marlon Roa, both relatives of Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno, officials said Thursday.
Formal charges will soon be filed in court either on Friday or early next week against the seven suspects, and their photos will soon be released to the public, officials added.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Virgilio Mendez said his agents found two persons who were willing to testify against the suspects. "We already have their affidavits," he said.
Mendez said they learned from their initial investigation that Natindim and Roa were killed on the evening of March 9, the day they were brought by armed men to the Lanao area.
He said the suspects escorted the two victims from their place in Barra, Opol, Misamis Oriental to the Lanao area at about 6:00 a.m.
He said their investigations showed that the victims, onboard a Pajero, were on their way to Lanao when the suspects stopped them.
He added that Natindim and Roa were brought to a house in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte where they were killed.
The NBI in Northern Mindanao was assigned as the lead agency of the task force created to investigate and solve the twin murders.
Police Regional Director Florante Baguio said they would soon release the photos of the suspects.
"We cannot release them (photos) until the proper charges are filed," he said.
Meanwhile, the two witnesses narrated to authorities they heard gunshots inside the house and noticed a Pajero coming out from there.
The Pajero, owned by Natindim, was later recovered buried in a shallow hole in Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte while the two bodies were also found buried in a shallow grave at the boundary of Barangay Landa, Baloi, Lanao del Norte on March 15.
Natindim and Roa were Capitol employees who hailed from Balingasag, Misamis Oriental. They were close relatives of Governor Moreno.
The 41-year-old Natindim was a first cousin of the governor and works at the Provincial Agriculture and Natural Resources Office.
Roa was also Moreno's nephew and the son of former Provincial Board member Mike Roa. He was first assigned at the Provincial Governor's Office but was transferred to the Provincial Health Office to help out in the distribution of Philhealth cards.
Mendez said the task force is now coordinating with the Marines to track down the suspects as soon as he could get hold of the warrants of arrest.
The NBI also said his agents have already in their possessions the pictures of some suspects. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
(March 24, 2006 issue)
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