P.25 M bounty offered for arrest of Valenzuela murder suspects

MANILA, Philippines - The Valenzuela City government yesterday offered a P250,000 bounty for any information that would lead to the arrest of suspects in at least three murder cases in the city.

Senior Police Officer 4 Jesus Sagisi said that Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian had approved the release of the funding in an effort to speed up the resolution of the cases.

“There are other crimes that are being considered, but for now three cases has already been approved for the bounty,’’ Sagisi told The STAR.

These include the killings of Ernesto Lunaria and Edgardo Lunaria in Barangay Bignay on Dec. 10, 2010.

The Valenzuela City regional trial court had issued a warrant for the arrest of primary suspect Bernardo Pascual Jr., but he remained at large up to this day.

Police have yet to solve two other murder cases that occurred in the city recently.

At least six gunmen were tagged in the killing of Richard Ilagan along Dulalia Street, in Barangay Lingunan while three unidentified men shot dead Diego Gayas Jr. in Barangay Ugong last Mach 16.

Gatchalian assured the victims’ family that the city police headed by Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor would exert efforts “to put the culprits behind bars.”

He urged the residents to cooperate with the police and be vigilant against crimes.

To report a crime, residents may call the chief of police at 0908-8781985 or chief investigator Senior Inspector Arthur Quinones at 0916-8539441, 3524000 locals 4101 and 4107.