Cops file charges vs suspects in Go slay try

Manila police formally filed charges of frustrated murder yesterday against the son of a former communist hit squad leader and his companion for the slay attempt on sports patron Go Teng Kok early this month.

Chief Inspector Arturo Paglinawan, chief of the Western Police District-General Assignments Section (WPD-GAS), said the case against Lejun de la Cruz and Arnold Salazar has been formally referred to the Manila Prosecutor’s Office by his investigators.

"It’s now up to the prosecutors to find probable cause that would warrant the filing of charges in court," Paglinawan said.

De la Cruz is the son of Nilo de la Cruz, chieftain of the Revolutionary Proletariat Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB).

De la Cruz and Salazar are now in the custody of their lawyers, Arturo Balbastro Jr., Jose Christopher Belmonte and Romeo Dolletor.

One investigator said the charges were anchored mainly on the testimonies of vendors Romeo Billones, 32; Perla de la Cruz, 49; Jake de la Cruz, 41; and Nathy Pineda, 30, who were at the vicinity of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) gate when Go was shot twice by a gunman last July 1.

Billones, who had been in the area several hours before the incident, tagged De la Cruz as the one who alighted from a motorcycle at 6 a.m., apparently waiting for Go.

"The motorcycle was parked in front of a noodle house where I was eating," he said. "The driver took off his helmet while his passenger alighted, then cocked his pistol and removed his cap."

Perla de la Cruz identified De la Cruz as the one who shot Go, though she could not identify the motorcycle driver.

On the other hand, Jake de la Cruz and Pineda identified Salazar as the motorcycle driver, though they did not recognize the gunman.

An investigator admitted that police have yet to uncover the motive for the assassination attempt. Probers said they believe the two men were merely hired to kill Go.

He hinted that police are still trying to establish a motive or a possible mastermind, which could be a business rival or a personal enemy of Go, who is PATAFA president.

The source said, however, that motive would be immaterial in the prosecution of the case since witnesses positively identified the suspects as the perpetrators.

GAS investigators submitted to the prosecutor’s office the two-page complaint prepared by Superintendent Edgar Danao, chief of the WPD-District Intelligence and Investigation Division (DIID) and Go’s one-page affidavit.

In his affidavit, Go said he is aware of the "relentless police operations" that led to the positive identification and eventual arrest of the suspects.

"I am executing this affidavit to utilize the same in filing a case of frustrated murder against the forenamed suspects," he said.

Go was shot in the face while inside his black Mitsubishi Adventure van at 8 a.m. last July 1, while waiting for a guard to open the gate of the Philippine Sports Commission complex.

Earlier, De la Cruz’s father claimed the charges filed by the WPD will endanger the peace talks between the government and his group. "This is a frame-up. I do not understand why they are doing this."

But WPD spokesman Chief Inspector Gerry Agunod stood by Danao’s team, which arrested the two men at the Centennial Terminal of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last Sunday.

"We did not violate any law. We invited his son for questioning, based on the sketches. Besides, Lejun was really identified," said Agunod.