Carmen Police Say: Murder of mayor's aide solved

CEBU, Philippines - Carmen Police chief, Senior Insp. Carlos Reyes considered the case on the murder of a retired policeman who worked as a security supervisor of Mayor Sonia Pua as solved after identifying the two gunmen.

Reyes told reporters yesterday that they made a breakthrough that the case was good as solved since last Thursday and they will only have to arrest the suspects who are cited to be still within Cebu City.

Carmen Police the other day released the cartographic sketches on two men tagged behind the killing of Nonito Taoy.

Reyes said that aside from identifying the gunmen, they already have secured the affidavits from two witnesses. There are still many witnesses they will be asking to make affidavits, he said.

He withheld the names of the identified gunmen so as not to jeopardize their operation but he said that one of the assailants is involved in several big robberies in Bogo. The same robber has also been charged for illegal drugs, Reyes added.

The police chief said they are still eyeing the angle on hatred as the main motive of the incident considering the manner the crime was executed.

Reyes cited the multiple gunshot wounds all on Taoy’s head. The suspects had been conducting surveillance on the victim, he said, because the suspects were seen in the area days before Taoy was killed.

Aside from politics, the police are also eyeing Taoy’s latest job and his previous work as a police intelligence officer as one of the angles of the crime.

Reyes said there are still other Jon Does to be implicated, but this will still depend on other affidavits that they may secure.

The gunmen, who did not bother to wear masks, reportedly had look-outs when they carried out the crime. Reyes said there were four getaway motorcycles.

Meanwhile, Mayor Pua has also sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation-7 on the incident, Reyes said.

Pua herself launched a campaign to raise funds for the P50,000 reward for those who can provide information on the whereabouts of the assailants.

Taoy succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds while outside the M1 Security Agency in barangay Cogon West, Carmen at 4 p.m. last Tuesday. — /MEEV (FREEMAN NEWS)