Police have suspects in hotel slay

LEGAZPI CITY — Police have identified possible suspects in the killing of Sen. Blas Ople’s son-in-law in a room of the Magayon Hotel here Wednesday.

"We already have suspects but we cannot (identify them) while the investigation is going on," said Superintendent Romeo Mapalo, city police chief.

Probers theorize that at least three persons could be involved in the killing of Arthur Meliton San Jose, 47, who was found dead with gunshot wounds in the head and back inside Room 413 of the hotel.

Mapalo said eight employees and two security guards of Magayon Hotel have been invited for questioning.

He added that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the provincial police were helping in the probe.

President Arroyo assured Ople of swift justice for San Jose, husband of the senator’s daughter and chief of staff, lawyer Dalisay Ople San Jose. (The couple has three children.)

Mrs. Arroyo conveyed her assurance and condolences to Ople in a telephone call. He quoted the President as saying she had directed Philippine National Police chief Director General Leandro Mendoza to ensure a speedy and thorough investigation.

Mapalo said probers found yesterday a bloodstained towel inside Room 403 of the Magayon Hotel. This item as well as two empty shells and a slug found in San Jose’s room have been submitted to the police crime laboratory for examination.

Police recovered San Jose’s wallet containing an ATM card, calling cards and P1,500 in cash. His two cellular phones were missing, probers said.

San Jose, about five feet, seven inches tall, could have fought off his assailants because things were scattered inside his hotel room and the toilet bowl was broken, police said.

Shortly after San Jose checked in Tuesday afternoon, he was overheard by a front desk officer as talking to someone on his cell phone, even giving his room number.

San Jose owned and managed a family resort in San Jose, Camarines Sur and other properties in the Bicol region. His sister Iris is a councilor of San Jose town.

Ople said San Jose’s widow was supervising the funeral arrangements.

San Jose’s body was brought to San Jose from Legazpi City yesterday and would be transported on Sunday to Manila where it will lie in state at the Christ the King Church in Green Meadows in Quezon City. Burial will be on Tuesday at the Ople family plot in Hagonoy, Bulacan. — With Aurea Calica and Christina Mendez