Strangers casing slain Caloocan councilman's house

MANILA, Philippines –  Despite the arrest of five suspects in the New Year’s Eve murder of a Caloocan City councilman, his widow said yesterday she still fears for her family’s safety as unidentified men were reportedly casing their house in Maypajo.

“I was informed that suspicious-looking men were seen casing our house,” said Arlene Dagsa, widow of slain Barangay 35 councilman Reynaldo Dagsa.

She said she is slowly recovering from her husband’s death and she is focusing on ensuring the safety of their children, a 10-year-old girl and a nine-year-old boy.

Arlene, a private nurse, said she is considering an offer by their barangay officials to replace her murdered husband.

“The family is urging me to accept the offer claiming that it would also benefit my children apart from I could continue the aspirations of my husband for our community,” she said, adding that she will talk to their local officials on the matter.

Reynaldo was taking pictures of his family outside their house in Maypajo while celebrating the New Year when he was gunned down. He caught on camera alleged gunman Arnel Buenaflor aiming a gun at him and another suspect, Michael Rollon, just before he was shot dead.

Buenaflor and Rollon were arrested with three others, but their alleged handler, Rogelio Manguni, and two other suspects, Rommel Bronjal and Frederick Sales, remain at large.

Manguni, Buenaflor and Rollon are linked to another murder in Tondo, Manila also on the New Year’s Eve.