Cop linked to Malabor assassination relieved

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — The policeman who was tagged in the slay of 5th district Board Member Renato Malabor and his bodyguard Leody Jomilla was relieved from his post at the Isabela Municipal Police Station.

This was confirmed by Senior Inspector Anthony Grande, Isabela Police chief, who said Police Officer 1 Robert Chloe Rito is now assigned to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office.

Grande said the relief order, signed by Senior Superintendent Samuel Nacion, NOPPO officer-in-charge, was issued on Wednesday. He, however, insisted he did not know the reason why Rito was relieved from the Isabela post where the latter was detailed as assistant investigator since 2012.

Rito was expected to report to the NOPPO headquarters on August 3 after his leave will end on August 2. He took a leave from June 22. Malabor and Jomilla were gunned down outside a cockpit in Isabela on June 28.

Nacion, for his part, would not confirm if Rito was among the 10 suspects charged for double murder complaint before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday.

He said the accused can file counter-affidavits to the murder complaints as the prosecutor has yet to evaluate if there was probable cause to file the charges against them.

Nacion said the NOPPO was still conducting a thorough investigation to identify the other suspects. “We have at least three John Does.” Earlier though, he announced there were five John Does, one of whom was the alleged mastermind.

More evidences are now being gathered to boost the charges, Nacion said, adding that four witnesses, including a minor, have been secured by the police.

On Wednesday, Senior Superintendent Peter Naboye, regional director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-6, said that Rito was identified as the triggerman, based on accounts of the witnesses and the evidences on hand.

Naboye identified the other suspects as Jacklyn Villaqer, Felipe Juntarciego, alias Bongbong, alias Aling, alias Nonoy, alias Jason and three John Does. Villaqer and Juntarciego were already in police custody after they were apprehended in separate raids this month.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. lauded the authorities for a “very good work,” saying he was hoping the case will be pursued and that arrest warrants will be issued on the suspects.

While insisting that the killing of Malabor was politically motivated, the governor believed that one of the suspects will reveal who was behind the assassination. (FREEMAN)