NBI digs up bodies of 2 payroll heist suspects

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) dug up yesterday morning the bodies of two men who allegedly helped rob Department of Education (DepEd) employees transporting payroll money in December 2009.

Sources said the bodies were that of Eric Gicole and Allan dela Peña Bilbao, and according to reports, the bodies were found after the NBI’s Investigation Services arrested and interrogated three of the slain suspects’ alleged cohorts – Albert Mata, Freddie Saldaña, and Cirpiano Cabuhal – who later told investigators where the bodies were buried.

NBI agents found Gicole’s body along the Tumana River in Marikina, while Bilbao’s body was found in Monterey Subdivision in San Mateo, Rizal.

The NBI will file murder, kidnapping with homicide, and robbery charges against Mata, Saldaña and Cabuhal for the payroll heist and the killing of Gicole and Bilbao.

Gicole was said to be the driver of the DepEd van carrying P4.8 million in payroll money on Dec. 28, 2009. He allegedly “accidentally” bumped the motorcycle of the suspects, who introduced themselves as police officers and told Gicole to drive to the Agora Complex, where he would be issued a traffic ticket.

However, the suspects later boarded the van and took the money as well as the jewelry and personal belongings of DepEd employees who were in the vehicle.

NBI investigators said Gicole and Bilbao may have been killed due to a conflict in the sharing of the loot. Their bodies have been identified by their relatives and subjected to dental forensic examination.