QCPD files murder raps vs. 7 suspects on NCMH chief Cortez killing

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has filed murder complaints against seven suspects who were allegedly involved in the killing of National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) chief Dr. Roland Cortez.

QCPD chief Police Brigadier General Ronnie Montejo on Tuesday said two counts of murder have been filed before the QC Prosecutor's Office against suspects identified as Sonny Sandicho; former NCMH chief administrative officer Clarita Avila; NCMH employees George Serrano and Harly Pagarigan; businessman Roman Eugenio, also known as Albert Eugenio; businesswoman Cristina Riego; and online seller Edieson Riego.

"Iupdate ko po kayo dito sa murder case against Dr. Roland Cortez at sa kaniyang driver na si Ernesto Dela Cruz. As of yesterday, naifile na po natin ang kaso through online sa prosecutor's office against seven suspects," Montejo said in a press briefing.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Police Major General Debold Sinas said Albert Eugenio, No. 7 Most Wanted Person of the Eastern Police District, helped police identify the getaway vehicle and trace the perpetrators of the crime.

Eugenio is already in police custody, he said.

"Ang pinaka-nahuli dito ay si Albert Eugenio, ‘yung number 7 most wanted ng Eastern Police District, by virtue of warrant for murder. Si Eugenio ang nagturo po noong sasakyan na ginamit na getaway noong shooting incident,” Sinas said.

QCPD's Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit chief Police Major Elmer Monsalve said Pagarigan was the gunman in the incident.

"At the time of the incident, may mga direct eyewitiness tayo na na-identify na 'yan lahat at saka ito si George Serrano na nagdala ng motor na iniwan doon sa harapan paakyat doon sa kalye sa Cassanova Drive kung saan tinambangan si Dr. Cortez," Monsalve said.

"Before the incident, itong tatlo na ito, nakitang kausap ni Clarita Avila," he added.

Montejo said with the filing of the complaints against the suspects, Cortez's case is considered solved.

He said other suspects remain at large.

On July 27, Cortez and his driver were killed in a shooting incident in Barangay Culiat.

Motive

Investigators are eyeing corruption at work as the motive in the killing, Monsalve said. He said Cortez had discovered some anomalies within the NCMH.

"Si Dr. Cortez meron siyang inimplement na reforms sa NCMH that is the food, shelter, clothing, and medication. Dahil doon sa reform na 'yun, meron siyang mga nakita na mga anomaly at doon na na-expose 'yung mga anomaly sa loob ng NCMH," the police official said.

In July 2019, Cortez, through the help of the National Bureau of Investigation, filed graft and malversation charges against Avila over her alleged involvement with Octant Builders, which had secured infrastructure projects from the NCMH from 2013 to 2018.

Asked in the press briefing if Avila could have plotted the murder, Monsalve answered in the affirmative.

"Makikita mo naman before the killing, mga July, may witness tayo na talagang nakita na nag-uusap silang tatlo o apat, Harry Pagarigan, George Serrano, Sonny Mitra Sandicho," he said.

GMA News Online has texted and called Avila's number for comment but she is out of reach, as of posting time.—Ma. Angelica Garcia/AOL, GMA News