Assassination target set to file charges

CEBU, Philippines - The government official who is said to be the subject of a botched assassination plot in Asturias town last Friday is set to file charges against the suspects today.

The official went to the Provincial Intelligence Branch of the Provincial Police Office yesterday to express his interest in filing the charges.

“Yes, I will definitely file charges against them. I am with my lawyer and we still have to check on what charges to file,” the official said.

He also said he has no idea why and who is behind the plot.

“Wa ko kahibalo nga sa akong pagpanerbisyo maingon ani pero mailhan ra na (I never had an idea that my services would lead to this but we will eventually find out),” he said.

Police have arrested two of the suspects – Jonathan Rubi of Danao City and Archie Alvarado of Barangay Looc Norte, Asturias. They were arrested by the Provincial Intelligence Branch in successive operations in Barangay Nangka in Balamban and in Asturias town, respectively.

PIB is still on a hunt for the last member of the group.

Rubi was arrested in Balamban and it was through him that Escalante was found in Asturias. Escalante was killed in a shootout for trying to resist arrest.

Alvarado, the group’s local contact and also a gun-for-hire, was also arrested at his house and caught in the act of sniffing shabu.

“He knows everything... the plan and the target kay didto man sa ilang balay nag-standby ang plano,” Supt. Rodolfo Albotra, PIB chief told The Freeman.

Confiscated from Alvarado was a .45 pistol with magazine loaded with seven bullets, three spare magazines, a butt stock of AR 15 rifle, several empty shells placed in a transparent plastic container, two bullet boxes, drug paraphernalia with residue of what believed to be shabu.

Albotra said it was Rubi who disclosed Alvarado’s name during interrogation.

Albotra is confident Alvarado’s arrest would lead authorities to the mastermind of the assassination plot.

Escalante was killed for resisting arrest in Barangay Bitoon, Asturias while Rubi, who was arrested in Barangay Nangka, Balamban, was injured in the right leg.

Both were supposed to carry out their plan Thursday but were arrested by virtue of a warrant for murder.

Police confiscated from them a .45 KG45 pistol with 18 bullets, a 9mm KG9 pistol with 23 bullets, two magazines with 17 and 12 bullets each, two .45 pistols with seven and five bullets each, and two mobile phones.

Alvarado said he owns the house where the suspects plotted the assassination but he was reportedly not with them. It was reportedly his friend who was with the group.

The suspects were reportedly up for a P200,000 payment for carrying out the kill. –/JMO (FREEMAN)