Soldier and hitman arrested for killing Fil-Am

Valenzuela police arrested a soldier and a hired gun four days after killing a 63-year-old Filipino-American, according to a report by Mav Gonzales on Unang Balita on Monday.

Staff Sergeant Gilberto Raro Jr. and Avelino Tamayo Jr. were taken in for murder after they shot Antonio Fermo inside the taxi he was riding along Macarthur Highway in Dalandanan, Valenzuela on October 18.

According to police, Tamayo had Fermo accompany him to the bank under the pretense of hiring the victim.

CCTV footage showed Raro following the taxi Tamayo and Fermo were riding along Macarthur Highway in a van driven by Sofronio Bigtas, who was hired under false pretenses.

"Nu'ng pumayag ako sabi ko, 'Sige, aantayin mo 'ko diyan, at sabi niya may isasakay lang tayong mga gamit na pambahay at dadalhin ko kasi may kausap ako dito,'" Bigtas explained.

Both taxi and van took a u-turn along the highway before the taxi stopped, allowing Tamayo to shoot Fermo and run to the van.

Tamayo insisted he was also hired under false pretenses by Raro and had his family threatened while being instructed to shoot Fermo.

"'O, ganun ang gagawin mo, babarilin mo lang.' 'Ba't niyo babarilin 'yan?' 'Alam mo na. Alam ko ang pamilya mo.' Sabi ko, 'Sir, teka pa'no ba 'yan?' Sabi niya, 'Eto illegal recruitment, nanloko ng tao,'" Tamayo said.

Tamayo, who was paid P5,000 by Raro, also denied being hired to beat the victim up as he was given a gun by the soldier.

Valenzuela Police Chief Rhoderick Juan said they are continuing their investigation to verify their theory on the crime.

"Ongoing 'yung investigation. Ang ano diyan, meron silang transaction na hindi naging maayos," Juan said. —Rie Takumi/KG, GMA News