CAMP GEN. VICENTE LIM, Calamba City – The police tasked to probe the July 7 killing of Trece Martires City vice-mayor Alexander C. Lubigan and his security aide has launched a dragnet operation for the possible arrest of the perpetrators.
In a press conference at this camp Monday, the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Lubigan did not disclose the names of the suspects but added that there were three persons of interests invited for further investigation. The task group is still probing the probable motives, including politics, business rivalry and work. The slain vice-mayor had plans to run for a higher elective post, either as mayor or provincial board member, as he winds up his vice-mayoral term in 2019.
Calabarzon deputy regional director for operations, Senior Supt. Nolasco K. Bathan, chair of SITG “Halili”, with Batangas provincial director Senior Supt. Edwin A. Quilates, as vice-chair, presided over the media conference with Cavite provincial director Senior Supt. William Segun, who was designated chair of the newly-formed “SITG Lubigan”.
Bathan said the Cavite police are now readying murder, attempted murder and frustrated murder cases pending the killers’ arrests.
“As of this time, we are looking at politics as the possible motive as we assure the public, people of Trece Martires City, the families of Vice Mayor Lubigan and Romulo Guillemer (driver) that we will go to the bottom of this to unearth the people responsible for the death of the vice mayor and his driver/security,” Bathan vowed.
He also appealed to the public for any information “that you could relay so that justice be served to the victims and their families.”
Meanwhile, Segun also announced that Cavite 6th District Rep. Luis “Jon-Jon” Ferrer IV has offered an initial PHP200,000 bounty for any person who could provide any information for the arrest of the killers.
Segun reported that Lubigan, clad in his fitness gym outfit, who seated in front; and his driver Romulo Limbaga Guillerme died on the spot after suffering from gunshot wounds with bullets piercing through their heads, bodies and extremities.
He revealed that a fourth passenger inside the ambushed black Toyota Hilux pick-up with conduction sticker YV4077 as Jimmy Marasigan, who was unharmed. The third victim, Romeo Magnaye Edrinal, the vice-mayor’s close-in security, was critically injured but now in stable condition at the Korean-Philippines Friendship Hospital.
According to Segun, the task force has conducted its scene of the crime investigation, interviews with witnesses and gathering of sworn statements and available CCTV footages.
The “SITG Lubigan” is now reviewing the footages right in front of the Korean-Philippines Friendship Hospital, the route of the ambushers’ vehicle which was sighted heading towards Naic after the ambush.
Trece Martires City chief of police Supt. Reynan Patam said they were informed by the barangay officials about the ambush incident around 3:15 p.m. last Saturday and immediately responded to the scene and cordoned off the area.
Patam also confirmed the victims have sustained gunshot wounds from long firearms used by the hitmen and found out that neither the local executive nor his bodyguard carried firearms for self-defense.
He added that initial investigation has not uncovered any death threat to Lubigan.
Supt. Dr. Jericho A. Q. Cordero, chief of the Cavite Crime Lab Office, a pathologist and medico-legal officer, presented autopsy findings on Lubigan, who succumbed to fatal gunshot wound on the right part of the head, a grazed bullet wound on the left mandible, grazed gunshot wound on the right arm which re-entered and pierced through his right chest; and another on his scapula at the back part.
Cordero said that driver Guillerme succumbed to gunshot wounds on the head and neck but said they are also conducting ballistics examinations based on the bullets and fragments retrieved from the victims’ bodies. (Saul Pa-a/PNA)