NBI operative testifies in Sison slay hearing

CEBU, Philippines -An undercover agent of the National Bureau of Investigation yesterday narrated to court how he pretended to be a lending collector in order to lure murder suspect Nemuel Sumabong out of his house early morning on June 10, 2008, which eventually led to Sumabong’s arrest.

Sumabong is the prime suspect in the killing of lawyer Richard Sison last May 21, 2008.

During the continuation of the murder case against Sumabong yesterday, NBI security officer Gabriel Jadraque said he went undercover as a lending collector so he could strike a conversation with Sumabong at the latter’s house in barangay Camputhaw. 

The first witness in the case, Crisanto Lagasca, was the one who reportedly pointed to the location of Sumabong’s residence. Lagasca was also positioned with the NBI operatives at that time and positively identified Sumabong when the latter came out of his house.

The trick, Jadraque said, was to look for one Lemuel Sumarong so he could pretend to collect the latter’s monthly obligation for the lending company.

When a younger man told him they did not know Sumarong, Jadraque persisted on asking until it was already Sumabong himself who faced him.

Jadraque said he then deviated from his query on Sumarong and started convincing Sumabong to apply for a loan just so he could give enough time for the witness to identify the suspect.

As soon as the NBI operatives approached, Jadraque said he immediately held Sumabong while the team leader effected the arrest.

Sumabong was immediately brought to the NBI office where he was identified by Lagasca up close and by another witness as the one who shot and killed Sison on May 21.

At the time he was killed, Sison was in his car and was on a traffic stop along M.J. Cuenco Avenue and V. Sotto Street in Barangay Tejero. —Fred P. Languido/JMO (THE FREEMAN)