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Thursday, January 10, 2008
Third suspect on shooting of cops, falls
CEBU CITY -- A man linked to the killing of SPO1 Pedro Sucion and wounding of P02 Darius Conejos in Mandaue last Sunday surrendered to a broadcaster Wednesday, saying he wanted to clear his name.
Reno “Nińo” Macasero, 23, surrendered to broadcaster and Sun.Star Cebu columnist Pablito “Bobby” Nalzaro in Alcantara, Cebu. He denied participation in Sunday’s robbery and killing.
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In other developments on the case as of Wednesday:
* Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Ronald Roderos said that Mandaue policemen will get medals and a possible spot promotion for catching the suspect within 48 hours.
* A case for illegal possession of firearm was filed against Jonathan Samson, who was arrested on Tuesday with Lauro “Jogro” Lumapas, the main suspect in the killing of Sucion.
*Sucion’s gun was recovered from a couple who said that Lumapas asked them to sell the firearm.
Macasero gave himself up to Nalzaro, saying he wanted to answer the allegation he was involved in last Sunday’s robbery and killing.
Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) Acting Director Rodel Calungsud said that Lumapas, Macasero and Leo “Botit” de la Victoria robbed a taxi driver in Mandaue City early morning Sunday and shot the two policemen when they intervened.
Surrender
Roy de la Victoria, Macasero’s uncle, went to Nalzaro at the GMA 7 Complex in Nivel Hills to seek the broadcaster’s assistance in the surrender of his nephew.
Nalzaro and a news team from GMA 7’s Balitang Bisdak, accompanied by de la Victoria, then went Alcantara, Cebu to pick up Macasero.
At 1 p.m., Macasero showed up at the Alcantara church, where he gave himself up to Nalzaro.
Calungsud picked up and arrested Macasero at 4 p.m. at the GMA 7 Complex. He was served two warrants of arrest for robbery in band and theft.
Macasero, in an interview over Balitang Bisdak, denied he was with Lumapas during the incident. He said he has been living in Alcantara for the past three months.
Also Wednesday, police recovered Sucion’s 9 mm government-issued firearm.
Calungsud said that at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Lorega, Cebu City Barangay Councilor Fritz Herrera called up the Mandaue police to turn over the gun, which had the serial number M21847Z.
Sell it
Herrera told PO3 Protacio Tago that Arnel and Joy Samonte surrendered the gun to him. Lumapas reportedly asked Arnel, who is his neighbor in Lorega, to sell the gun.
But when Lumapas was arrested and the couple learned of how the gun was taken, Arnel asked Joy to surrender the gun to Herrera.
Calungsud said the gun’s recovery and how it came into the couple’s possession will strengthen the case against Lumapas, who already admitted to shooting Sucion.
The Mandaue police is scheduled to file today murder, frustrated murder and robbery charges against Lumapas and his companions.
Witnesses said that Lumapas took Sucion’s gun after killing him. But in Tuesday’s press conference, Lumpas denied taking the slain policeman’s gun.
At the PRO 7, Roderos said Mandaue policemen who were able to catch the suspects will get medals and, possibly, spot promotions.
Roderos said the team from MCPO’s Investigation and Detection Management Bureau (IDMB) led by Insp. Rainero Cortes and Senior Insp. Siegfred Toribio of Police Station 1 will be receiving medals of merit. Members of the team arrested Lumapas.
Promotions
Roderos also ordered the Regional Personnel and Human Resource and Doctrine Division to draft a recommendation to Camp Crame’s Senior Officers’ Placement and Promotions Board to grant spot promotions to the policemen.
During the three-day refresher course by the MCPO’s Special Weapons and Tactics for Mandaue policemen, Roderos suggested to Calungsud to assess the performance of the participants to determine their capabilities and what assignments will suit them.
The refresher course, which is scheduled to end today, was initiated by the MCPO following the killing of Sucion.
Also yesterday, a case for illegal possession of firearm was filed against Samson.
Samson, according to PO3 Protacio Tago Jr., tried to draw his .38 five-shooter snub-nosed revolver when they arrested Lumapas inside his rented room on Imus Road, Riverside, Sikatuna Cebu City last Tuesday.
When he was frisked, two empty shells were recovered from Samson’s possession. (JST/OCP/KNT of Sun.Star Cebu)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (January 10, 2008 issue)
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