Gun linked to 3 murders in QC

MANILA, Philippines - A gun recovered from one of the suspects in the ambush of a police officer in Quezon City turned out to be the same one used in three other killings, an official said yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, director of the Quezon City Police District, said the .45 caliber Armscor pistol confiscated from Joean Marco, who was arrested for the killing of Chief Inspector Roderick Medrano, matched cartridge cases recovered from three other murders earlier this year.

Pagdilao said these included the killing of Conrado Ongjoco on Feb. 25 and Aurora Lumahan on May 4, both in Barangay Commonwealth; and a violent attack on June 8 in Barangay Holy Spirit.

Chief Inspector Rodel Marcelo, head of the QCPD’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, said the gun was not used in Medrano’s killing but was seized from Marco when he was arrested on Sept. 3.

Marco was one of the four men arrested for killing Medrano in Barangay Kaligayahan on Sept. 1. These included Clemente Bersoza, Larry Consolacion and Rodener Necesito.

The four suspects were arrested based on a tip provided by Christian Geronimo, whose motorcycle was used in Medrano’s killing.

Marcelo earlier said the hired killers executed Medrano for free. Investigators said the suspects all worked at the Commonwealth Market, either as inspectors or collectors.

The motive for Medrano’s murder remains undisclosed, but sources said it may have something to do with his dealings as a police officer.