4 suspects in Beltran’s slay nabbed

MANILA, Philippines — Four suspects in the killing of barangay captain and Quezon City congressional candidate Crisell Beltran have been arrested by police.

Teofilo Formanes, 48, said to be the main gunman, was apprehended at the Commonwealth Market where he worked as an inspector on Friday.

Probers said Formanes took off his helmet as he fired at Beltran and her driver, Melchor Salita, in a Ford Everest along J.P. Rizal street on Wednesday.

A loaded 9mm pistol, a motorcycle, a cell phone and three handheld radios were seized from Formanes, according to police. 

Following his arrest, brothers Ruel, 38, Orlando, 32, and Joppy, 28, all surnamed Juab, were nabbed at their house along Steve street in Barangay Commonwealth. 

Probers said they recovered a 9mm pistol, a homemade .38-caliber handgun, a .22-caliber pistol and a hand grenade from the Juab brothers.

Police also took into custody Cosette Capistrano, 50; Miguel Juab, 26; Mangmang Rasia, 26; Angelie Juab, 27, and Boy Fernandez, 52, for obstruction of justice after they tried to prevent authorities from implementing the arrest. 

Formanes pointed to Capistrano, who allegedly kept a firearm used in the killing.

Capistrano led operatives to a house along Republic Avenue in Barangay Holy Spirit, but shouted to warn two other suspects – Warren Juab and Dutch Boy Bello – about the presence of police.

Warren and Bello, said to be the mediators in the killing, eluded arrest.

Formanes claimed that Warren and Bello were in contact with the one who ordered the attack on Beltran.

Formanes said he was double-crossed and not paid for the killing. 

Beltran, captain of Barangay Bagong Silangan, was running as representative of Quezon City’s second district in the midterm elections.

Charges of murder, frustrated murder, attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms were filed against the suspects before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office.

Police said they were investigating all possible motives in the killing.

‘Quezon City no poll hotspot’

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will not recommend placing Quezon City under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) amid the killing of Beltran.

While they are evaluating whether or not the city should be included in the election watchlist, NCRPO chief Director Guillermo Eleazar said putting it under Comelec control is premature.

Eleazar said the murder of Beltran is an isolated case.

He said he would make a recommendation if there are prevailing cases of election-related violence in the city.

“We have seen Quezon City as very peaceful for the longest time,” Eleazar said.

The city council has offered a P5-million reward for information leading to the arrest of Beltran’s killers.

Acting Mayor Joy Belmonte said the council is threshing out the guidelines for the release of the reward, but the funds are already available. – With Emmanuel Tupas