Hired killer admits role in Phl shooter's slay

MANILA, Philippines - A gun-for-hire arrested in Makati City last month has admitted his role in the killing of Philippine tactical shooting team member Michael Lontoc in Malabon City last year.

Aside from Lontoc, Roland Baricuatro, 37, said that before his arrest, he was also monitoring two other persons for his employer, a foreigner.

He said he receives between P5,000 to P10,000 per job and an additional P300 per day as operational expenses.

Baricuatro made his revelation when he was subjected to tactical interrogation after his arrest last Feb. 3, when he tried to redeem a stolen motorcycle at the security office of Dasmariñas Village. The STAR obtained a copy of the tactical interrogation report.

Recovered inside his backpack were tools Baricuatro used when he had people under surveillance: assorted identification cards in different names, a camera, dossiers, and a wig.

Senior Police Officer 1 Rolando Concha of the Makati City police claimed that a certain David, a British man, recruited Baricuatro as his part-time bodyguard.

However, several months later, David told Baricuatro to conduct surveillance operations on people the foreigner suspects to have some “misdoings” against his company.

Baricuatro said his surveillance activities went as far as Romblon, Hermosa in Bataan and Sta. Cruz and Iba in Zambales, Mt. Apo in Davao City and in Subic Bay, where he monitored at least 10 foreigners and Filipinos, including a certain Mar Supnag.

Police said Baricuatro was seen cha­sing Lontoc’s vehicle at a shooting range in Malabon prior to the ambush. He was also monitored visiting Lontoc’s wake in the company of a foreigner.

Police said Baricuatro is facing charges of arson with murder in Zamboanga del Sur and murder and frustrated murder in Bacoor, Cavite.