Suspect in Ombudsman prosecutor’s slay confided to witness about crime —Albayalde

The suspect in the killing of Ombudsman Assistant Special Prosecutor Madonna Joy Tanyag had confided to a witness about his crime, police said Tuesday.

Angelito Avenido Jr., according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, had told the witness to watch the news and wait for the bit about the stabbing incident.

"Witness... told the police that Avenido had confided to him of his involvement in the stabbing incident. Ito 'yung sinabi niyang mamaya, manood ka ng news, sabi niya dito sa taong ito," Albayalde told a press briefing.

Avenido, 31, also known as Moymoy, was a jeepney barker from Bula, Gen. Santos City, and has been residing in Desire Compound in Barangay Culiat in Quezon City prior to his arrest on Monday afternoon.

Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel Jr. said Avenido arrived in Manila in March from Gen. Santos City where he is facing another case for stabbing and killing another person.

"Pina-find out pa namin 'yung details," Esquivel said.

Tanyag, who was pregnant at the time of the incident, was stabbed three times after attending a hearing at the Sandiganbayan. She bought milk tea from a store on Visayas Avenue and was about to board her vehicle when the suspect attacked her.

Robbery

Police identified robbery as the motive for the attack.

"Baka nag-resist 'yung victim dito, pinasok niya sa sasakyan at dun niya pinagsasaksak. Actually, dun sa sasakyan pa lang niya, nung pagpasok ng victim dun niya pinagsasaksak," Albayalde said.

Albayalde said Avenido, who will be charged with robbery with homicide, was nabbed in a "hot pursuit operation" at 5:45 p.m. at Palayan Dulo in Barangay Culiat on Monday.

Combined operatives from Masambong Police Station and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group made the arrest after identifying the suspect through CCTV footage. He was also identified through a black t-shirt, blue jersey shorts, ballcap, and tattoos on his arms.

Seized from Avenido were two identification cards, two purses, nine P1,000 bills, and one Oppo mobile phone belonging to the victim.

Problem child

Albayalde said Avenido's parents described their son as a long-time drug user.

"Lumalabas na ito ay problem child since bata pa, na talagang problema na nila sa kanilang pamilya at lulong na lulong sa droga," he said.

"After the incident, seemingly bumatak siya kaagad at positive siya sa drug test. Ito 'yung sinasabi nating ito, they will rob and kill anybody para lang sa iligal na droga, para sa kanilang bisyo," added Albayalde, who later noted that Avenido was not on any drugs watch list.

Esquivel said Avenido, who is also accused of stealing from parked cars, had no accomplice in robbing and stabbing Tanyag.

Dr. Cris Tanyag, husband of the slain prosecutor, said his wife never detailed any case she was handling to him and always appeared busy even at home.

Dr. Cris Tanyag, husband of assistant special prosecutor Madonna Joy: Wala po siyang dine-detail na cases. Ang alam ko busy lang siya kahit sa bahay. pic.twitter.com/CM0Jj8ihGT

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 5, 2018

"Ang alam ko lang po busy po siya kahit nasa bahay. Hindi po siya nagde-detail sa akin ng mga cases," Dr. Tanyag said.

He also thanked the police for their swift response to his wife's case. "Kung nabubuhay pa ang aking asawa, sasabihin niya po na naniniwala pa rin po siya sa ating batas at hustisya," he said.

Tanyag was declared dead on arrival at the East Avenue Medical Center at 12:04 p.m. after sustaining three stab wounds. —KBK, GMA News