Tipster in Pangasinan couple’s slay gets P.5-M reward

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan , Philippines   â€“ Provincial officials handed out on Friday a P500,000 reward to a male tipster who helped National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents arrest the suspected gunman in last year’s killing of a former vice mayor of this capital town and his wife. 

Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr. and provincial treasurer Marilou Utanes gave the check at the capitol building here to the informant whose face was covered with a handkerchief to hide his identity. 

“We just fulfilled our earlier pledge. I was called to turn over the check and so I did,” Calimlim said yesterday, adding that a lawyer from NBI Manila and an investigator were also present during the turnover of the check. 

Due to the sensitivity of the case, Calimlim said no other details could be disclosed. 

The tipster helped in the arrest of Guialaludin Sacandal, alias Boy Muslim Otto, in General Santos City last month. He was alleged to be the gun-for-hire involved in the killing of former Lingayen vice mayor Ramon Arcinue and his wife Zorahayda in 2012. 

Arcinue’s brother Roberto, the mayor of Sual town, said their family was not invited to the turnover of the reward to the tipster.

“I think it would have been more proper if we were informed or invited because we are the victims here,” he said. 

He said though that they would also give a separate P250,000 reward to the informant.

“We have to validate, analyze very well. We would not just award but a careful study must be made,” he said. 

The Lingayen municipal government led by Mayor Ernesto Castañeda also pledged to give another P250,000 reward.