“Cop killer” arrested

CEBU, Philippines - The alleged gunman in the shooting of a police officer almost two years ago was arrested in a cockfighting area past 2 p.m. Sunday in Barangay Sudlon I, Cebu City.

Andoy Duterte, one of the three suspects in the shooting of P01 Felicisimo Unabia on December 11, 2013 in Carcar City, was arrested by operatives of the Regional Special Operations Task Group by virtue of a warrant of arrest.

Superintendent Rex Derilo, Regional Intelligence Division 7 chief, said that RSOG-7 was informed of the presence of Duterte in a cockfight area in Barangay Sudlon I.

To verify the report, Derilo sent a team which brought a copy of an alias warrant of arrest issued by Branch 58 presiding judge, Honorable Ma. Lynna Adviento.

He said that Duterte was surprised when the police served the warrant and was not able to resist from the arresting officers.  

Aside from Duterte, Marvin Binoya, 31, and Juanito Linggatong, 38, both residents of Barangay Cambuntan-Bolinawan, Carcar City, were charged for murder after they were implicated in the death of P01 Unabia.

Unabia was killed while waiting for a ride for Cebu City along the national highway of J.P. Rizal St., in Barangay Poblacion, Carcar City at 8:40 a.m. on December 11, 2013.

Unabia sustained gunshot wounds to the abdomen, chest and chin and was pronounced dead on arrival at Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City.

He was waiting for a ride to Cebu City to report for work at the Mobile Patrol Group of the Cebu City Police Office.

Binoya was the alleged driver of the gateway motorcycle while Linggatong was the alleged lookout. Duterte was reportedly the one who shot Unabia.

Both Binoya and Lingatong were arrested in January 2014 and were already charged for murder, along with Duterte.

Yesterday, Duterte denied his involvement in Unabia’s death and said there is no way he could kill the police officer since he was in his farm.

“Makuha diay kos’ CCTV (closed circuit television camera) nga wa man ko diha? Nang-guna ra ko sa amoa ana, kuyog ko’s akong pamilya,” Duterte said.

 But the victim’s relatives, who saw the closed-circuit television camera footage, identified the three as the suspects, who were also neighbors of the victim. — (FREEMAN)