Ex-convict back in jail for frustrated murder

A convicted robber released from prison eight months ago was back in detention for trying to kill his neighbor Wednesday night in Caloocan City.

Superintendent Reynaldo Orante, Northern Police District-District Police Intelligence Unit (NPD-DPIU) chief, said that Billy Joe Beleta, 34, a resident of Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan City, was nabbed for attempting to kill Gerry Rusio, 29.

Orante said at around 7 p.m., Beleta with a certain Henry Rebolado, alias Inlet, barged inside the house of Rusio’s sister, Geraldine Rusio-Alayon, also on Salmon st. in Dagat-Dagatan.

Rebolado, armed with a handgun, tried to shoot Alayon several times but his gun misfired. Alayon shouted for help and her brother came to her rescue but was intercepted by Beleta who was armed with a caliber .38 revolver.

Beleta fired at Rusio but his gun also misfired. The suspects, who were harboring an old grudge on Rusio and Alayon, fled after the incident.

Rusio and Alayon sought assistance from the DPIU operatives. Orante dispatched SPO4 Pacho Labrador and SPO2 Henry Martin to hunt the suspects. At around 7:45 p.m., Beleta was arrested. He yielded a caliber .38 revolver loaded with six bullets and three more were found inside his pocket.

Beleta admitted trying to shoot Rusio, saying that he was first attacked with a steel pipe.

SPO4 Antonio Tenorio said that charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunitions and attempted murder would be filed against Beleta.

Tonorio said that Rebolado, who is now being hunted by the DPIU operatives, would also be charged with attempted murder.