Cops, witness tagged as brains in Valenzuela shooting, robbery

Two police officers and a witness were tagged in the killing of a company messenger in Valenzuela City, according to Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday.

In October, motorcycle-riding gunmen murdered and robbed Niño Luigi Hernando in Barangay Paso de Blas.

The suspects, who were identified as Rico Reyes and Narciso Santiago, took his motorcycle and his bag which contained over P400,000 then roared off.

However, on Monday, Valenzuela police chief Police Colonel Fernando Ortega said the witness Jo-Ann Cabatuan was also involved in the robbery-slay, including Police Corporal Michael Castro and dismissed Police Officer 1 Anthony Cubos.

According to Ortega, Cabatuan informed Santiago about Hernando’s whereabouts because he testified against her partner Henry Rubio in a rape case, who was eventually imprisoned.

“Bukod may pera, ininform po niya (Cabanatuan) kasi katiwala po si Niño noong agency nila na nagwi-withdraw po monthly ng P2 million pampa-sweldo po sa empleyado ng kanilang agency,” Ortega said.

“Siya po ‘yong lumalabas na leader ‘yong Cubos na robbery, holdap and gun-for-hire in Bulacan,” he added.

Ortega said Cubos was dismissed in 2019 after being on absence without leave status, while Castrol went AWOL after being tagged in the case. However, on Friday, Castro was nabbed by authorities.

“His extrajudicial confession din po, he admitted his actual participation on the said incident,” Ortega said.

Moreover, he said the manhunt operation is still ongoing for four other suspects namely Reyes, Santiago, Cubos and Cabanatuan.

Further, Philippine National Police chief General Debold Sinas said the two policemen were also involved in several crimes.

“Based on the revelations noong first na umamin at tsaka ‘yong ex-policeman, parang mayroon na sila four o five incidents na ganoon. So we are back tracking kung saan nila ginawa ‘yon,” sinas said.

Earlier, cops said the Valenzuela City government is offering a reward worth P600,000 for anyone who could provide information about the suspects, which could later lead to their arrests.—Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News