Revenge eyed in cop's killing

CEBU, Philippines - The men who shot and killed a police officer in Barangay Looc, Danao City last Friday afternoon were motivated by personal grudge, the town police chief said.

Danao City Police Station chief, Supt. Resty Santos, said one of the suspects avenged his son and killed SPO3 Jose Relampagos.

Santos identified the suspects as former Looc barangay captain Antonio "Tony" Alvaro, his son Alvaro Alvaro, and unidentified men who are now being hunted down.

The suspects' cohorts - Brave Alvaro, a nephew of Tony Alvaro; Ronstel Casas, 27, and Ronnie Capin, 31 - were arrested during a hot pursuit operation.

Santos said Tony Alvaro had an "axe to grind" against Relampagos and that was to avenge his son, who was reportedly shot by the son of Relampagos.

"Posible gyud na panimalos ang motibo nila," Santos said, further dismissing earlier reports the suspects shot and killed Relampagos while the police officer was reportedly trying to pacify the group.

Santos revealed that the former barangay captain and his son Alvaro are into illegal drugs and had been, in fact, arrested by the Provincial Intelligence Branch before.

The town police chief said there were three more companions of the suspect which they are now verifying.

Brave Alvaro, Casas, and Capin, who hails from Barangay Paril, Cebu City, underwent paraffin test.

The suspects were identified by the wife of Relampagos who was with the victim when the incident happened at past 5 pm last Friday. The three were arrested while hiding at Alvaro's house. The former village chief and his son, however, escaped and are now being hunted down.

Santos said the arrested suspects tried to resist.

Santos said the family of Relampagos sensed fear and requested for security, which they would consider providing, he said.

Last Friday afternoon, Relampagos, who was assigned to the Tuburan Police Station and was on off-duty, was passing near a cockfight arena in sitio Pulangyuta when a group of men shot him. The police officer was reportedly still able to return fire and hit Alvaro's son, but the other companions who were with the Alvaros repeatedly shot the victim.

Relampagos reportedly died immediately of seven gunshot wounds in the head and body. He was still rushed to the hospital but he died on the way there. (FREEMAN)