Phl shooting champ’s killers are communist hitmen – NCRPO

MANILA, Philippines - A man arrested in connection with the murder of Philippine practical shooting team member Michael Lontoc two years ago confessed to being a member of the communist hit squad Alex Boncayao Brigade  (ABB), police said yesterday.

During tactical interrogation, Jimmy Pianar identified his four alleged accomplices, who are now the subject of a manhunt ordered by National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina.

Espina refused to divulge the names of Pianar’s accomplices so as not to jeopardize ongoing followup operations.

According to Espina, Pianar verbally admitted his role in Lontoc’s murder.

Lontoc had just taken part in a shooting competition at the Malabon Practical Shooting Association shooting range in Barangay Maysilo when he was ambushed by armed men in Barangay Catmon on Sept. 24, 2011.

With the technical support of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, Pianar was arrested by the Regional Intelligence Unit headed by Senior Inspector Fred Lenomta at the Palaisdaan Picnic Garden last March 30.

He was arrested on the strength of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Zaldy Docena of the Malabon City Regional Trial Court Branch 170.

Pianar pointed to a certain Renante as the one who recruited him into the ABB in May 2010. During his recruitment, Pianar said he met a many ABB members and was taught how to use a .45 caliber automatic pistol to kill rapists, robbers, and drug pushers based in Malabon City.

Sometime in September 2011, he said a fellow ABB member arrived at his house in Barangay Tonsuya and told him to kill Lontoc, who was allegedly involved in bombs and explosives.

Pianar said he hesitated at first upon learning that Lontoc was a sharpshooter but later gave in.