Traffic cop probed over Olongapo killings

MANILA, Philippines - Police are now looking into the possible involvement of a member of the Traffic Management Group in the killing of model Scarlet Garcia and three others in Olongapo City last Thursday. TMG Director Chief Supt. Perfecto Palad said SPO1 Leopoldo Vitug Jr of the TMG’s Motorcycle Unit was subjected to paraffin test and his caliber .45 service firearm to ballistic examination after receiving information of the cop’s possible involvement in the massacre. "When I was informed that he (Vitug) is being linked to the crime, I immediately ordered that he undergo paraffin test at the PNP Crime Lab and his service firearm be subjected to ballistic examination," Palad said in a statement Sunday. Palad said he also ordered Vitug to make himself available anytime to investigators probing the massacre. The results of the paraffin and ballistic tests are expected to come out Monday. Vitug possible involvement in the crime came out after investigators found some of his personal belongings were found at the crime scene. Palad said Vitug told him that the said belongings – a PNP item card and other police paraphernalia – were taken to him by victim George Castor without permission. Castor was Vitug’s first cousin. Vitug reported that he last saw Castor last Sunday. He denied involvement in the case and promised to cooperate with the investigation. Palad assured that the TMG "will never be a hindrance to the investigation being conducted on the crime." "That is why I immediately ordered that Vitug undergo examinations at the PNP Crime Lab purposely to help in the investigation and also to determine whether or not SPO1 Vitug has a hand in the massacre," Palad said. "We will not tolerate our men to be involved in criminal acts, but they also deserve to be cleared if they are found innocent," he added. Garcia, his boyfriend Castor, and another couple were found dead and burned inside a three-storey apartment on Acacia Street, Barangay Gordon Heights in Olongapo City before dawn last Thursday. The victims each had a gunshot wound that caused their deaths, which the perpetrators attempted to cover up by burning them inside the apartment. The fire was put out before it totally engulfed the entire edifice. Aside from Vitug's possible involvement, police are also considering the possibility of a love triangle or robbery as motive behind the incident. - GMANews.TV