Police tighten Asturias VM security

CEBU, Philippines - The police have tightened the security of Asturias Vice Mayor Joel Dumdum while preparing  charges against Jonathan Rubi, suspect in the assassination plot of the official.

In a press conference, Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) chief, Supt. Rodolfo Albotra, said the criminal case against Rubi is now ready for filing.

He said that Rubi was the gunman who was supposed to liquidate Dumdum but the PIB operatives foiled the plot, resulting to the death of cohort Edgar Escalante.

Albotra said that new names emerged as the investigation goes deeper and these personalities will be included in the filing of the criminal case. 

Albotra said that the arrested suspect, Archie Alvarado, had given them information of other personalities regarding the plot to kill Dumdum but refused to identify the names as the PIB operation is still ongoing.

The PIB chief said that Alvarado might become a state witness for his willingness to cooperate with the police.

Dumdum told The FREEMAN that Rubi was  the hitman and Escalante was his partner.

"Si Rubi gyud ang hitman nya katong iyang kauban nga si Escalante mao to'y back-up pero mo-waswas sad to," he added.

He believes that politics is the motive behind his assassination attempt. —  (FREEMAN)