3 nabbed for foiled 'hit' on Malabon trader

MANILA, Philippines - Three men who claimed to be former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were arrested before they could carry out a “hit job” on a local businessman Saturday night in Malabon, police said yesterday.

Northern Police District director Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr. identified the suspects as Angelito Antimano alias “Ka Hudas” and “Ka Jerry,” 36; Alfredo Bautista alias “Itik,” 37; and Ali Lagasca alias “Ka Armand,” 32, all of Barangay Tancarang, Mayantoc, Tarlac. They claimed to be farmers by profession.

Pagdilao said the suspects admitted to being former members of the breakaway RPA Alex Boncayao Brigade and that they were paid by Eric Dumlao, alias “Ka Wilson,” to kill Peter Villasenor, one of the guests at the birthday celebration of Barangay Tanong chairman Julian Buenaventura.

Malabon city police chief Senior Superintendent Roberto Villanueva said they seized from Antimano a Colt Mark IV .45 caliber pistol while Bautista yieded a homemade Magnum .357 revolver. Arresting officers said Lagasca allegedly had a handgun but threw it away before he was cornered after a brief chase.

Police also seized a loaded magazine for the .45 caliber pistol and four rounds for a.38 caliber revolver, about P2,000 cash in different denominations and identification cards.

Barangay watchmen, led by Christopher Sarmiento, said they spotted three suspicious-looking men at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday in front of a vacant lot near the house of Buenaventura.

Sarmiento said they accosted the suspects, who ran away, prompting the watchmen to give chase. The suspects sought refuge in one of the houses in the neighborhood, but the house’s occupants beat them up, suspecting them to be robbers, he said.

Sarmiento said they also found a photograph of Villasenor in the possession of the suspects, who said he was their real target.

The STAR gathered the suspects were paid P70,000 to finish off a Villasenor, a local businessman selling small-sized cooking gas tanks and gas stoves in the barangay.

Sources said Buenaventura ran for barangay chairman in 2007 but lost and was reported to be running for an unnamed post in the next elections.

Police Officer 3 Rommel Habig told The STAR they have yet to establish the real motive for the alleged plan to kill Villasenor.

Habig added they are still trying to verify the real identity of the suspects.

Villanueva said charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition are being readied against the suspects without prejudice to other charges that may be filed against them, pending a background check.