Police closing in on Lanot assassin

Police are closing in on the gunman and the "lookout" in the ambush-slaying of former Pasig City Rep. Henry Lanot last April 13.

Metro police chief Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr. said they are making great progress in their investigation into the Lanot case as he expressed confidence that the gunman and his cohorts would be accounted for in due time.

"We are slowly, but surely making great strides in the Lanot case. My men on are still in the field and we hope that their effort to bag the gunman and his cohorts would end in a positive note," Razon told The STAR.

Razon said at least five crack police teams have been dispatched to various areas of Metro Manila and the provinces to get Lanot’s assassin and his cohort who acted as the lookout.

He said aside from the gunman and the lookout, police were able to identify another cohort inside a Pasig City restaurant when Lanot was gunned down.

Razon said Task Force Lanot, headed by Chief Superintendent Oscar Valenzuela, director of the Eastern Police District (EPD) now have a "clear picture of the Lanot case" and are now conducting a massive manhunt.

He said one of the five police teams was dispatched to the Visayas, where the gunman and his "lookout" are reportedly hiding.

Valenzuela and other members of Task Force Lanot conducted a case conference yesterday to determine the progress of the investigation into the Lanot ambush-slay.

"We are on the right track," Valenzuela told The STAR.

Lanot was having lunch with former Caloocan City Rep. Romeo Santos at the Jade Palace restaurant along Shaw Boulevard when gunned down by a lone assassin last April 13.

Razon said the gunman’s lookout was posted near the restaurant’s front door, while another companion was inside near Lanot’s table.