Witness says three men behind killing of CA Justice Pizarro —NBI

A witness has claimed that three men were behind the gruesome killing of retired Court of Appeals (CA) Justice Normandie Pizarro, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Tuesday.

According to John Consulta’s “24 Oras” report, NBI Special Task Force chief Gerald Geralde said they created a reenactment of Pizarro’s killing based on the account of an individual they now consider a witness.

“Sinabi nga niya na sa lugar kung saan siya natagpuan, sa Barangay Lawis, do’n sa Capas, Tarlac ay may tatlong tao nga doon na allegedly bumaril kay Justice Pizarro at iniwan ang bangkay niya ro’n matapos hubaran,” he said.

The NBI added that the suspects made sure to remove any identifying features such as Pizarro’s clothes and even his fingers after the shooting.

“‘Yung mga fingers niya sa left hand, nawawala. And then the right hand, missing din. Tapos ang kanyang mukha, actually hindi mo makilala kasi ‘yung mga tissues is parang nauna siyang na-decompose,” Geralde said.

The task force chief said the CA justice was likely kneeling or seated when he was killed, based on the downward trajectory of the bullet.

“One gunshot wound to the back of the head, right side, exiting sa left temple based on autopsy report,” he said.

Authorities are also studying whether the crime was linked to cases previously handled by Pizarro, his personal conflicts, or his visits to casinos.

“We already have onhand vital information from a person of interest. The NBI will continue to gather additional evidence to bring to life the motive of his killing,” NBI Director Eric Distor said.

Security camera footage obtained by the NBI were able to capture moments that preceded Pizarro’s death.

He was seen getting into his car and leaving the basement of a hotel-casino in Clark, Pampanga on October 23.

When he reached a supermarket, a man entered his vehicle.

Other footage showed that he was headed for Capas.

The retired justice was found dead seven days later.

It was only on Monday that the NBI confirmed that the remains found in Capas were his. 

Supreme Court Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta condemned the “barbaric” killing of Pizarro. 

Groups of lawyers earlier rallied outside the Supreme Court to protest work-related killings of lawyers under the Duterte administration. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News