3 SUSPECTS CHARGED FOR MURDER

THE alleged mastermind and other suspects the killing of aspiring barangay chairman Arnel Adolfo Flor Mata in Aguilar town are already in the custody of the police after their arrest  last Thursday, October 26.

P/Colonel Jeff Fanged, provincial director of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO), identified in a press conference the  alleged mastermind as Maria Magnolia Gelido, the incumbent barangay chairman of Barangay Bayaoas, who is also vying for re-election. She is the sole opponent of Mata for said position.

Fanged said Gelido allegedly ordered Kelly Doroy Rosario 54, a resident of Barangay Dorongan Punta in Mangatarem, to kill Mata on Sunday night, October 22, after a political caucus in the area.

Mata was walking to his vehicle parked at some 20 meters from the area where the rally was being held after his speech when he  was  approached by Rosario, on the pretext of asking for liquor and shot Mata dead on the nape.

Rosario fled away using a tricycle driven by Jayson Vicente, 32, also a resident of Barangay Bayaoas.

Fanged said Vicente voluntarily surrendered because he was bothered by his conscience, but denied knowing Mata would be killed.

“Ang sabi lang kasi talaga sa kaniya (Vicente), bubulabugin lang yung caucus“, said Fanged, adding that Vicente only met his partner in crime on the night of the incident.

Following Vicente’s surrender, the police launched a hot pursuit operation in Barangay Dorongan Punta, Mangatarem, and arrested Rosario, who surrendered peacefully.

Fanged revealed Rosario was a former member of a gun-for-hire group and was once imprisoned at the Pangasinan Provincial Jail.

Gelido, on the other hand, was arrested in her residence.

Investigation showed Gelido and Rosario knew each other, but vehemently denied their involvement in the crime despite Vicente’s extrajudicial confession.

Murder charges were filed at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against Vicente, Rosario, and Gelido, along with one John Doe on Wednesday, October 25.

Governor Ramon Guico III, who attended the press conference, said, “Today, I commend and extend my heartfelt appreciation to our police force for their unwavering commitment, dedication, and relentless service to protect the people of Pangasinan.”

He assured that Mata’s family will achieve justice and the provincial government will extend financial assistance.

“Gagawin natin ang lahat para sa kanilang kaligtasan,” Guico said.

He lauded the police under Fanged’s leadership for the speedy arrest of the suspects and said he reminding candidates to be fair and square in their fight, adding that the Aguilar incident made him feel bad. Guico said that he felt bad that this incident happened, adding that he had consistently advocated for a peaceful and orderly election.

Meanwhile, despite being arrested and charged, Atty. Marino Salas, Pangasinan provincial election supervisor, said Gelido’s candidacy is still valid, as she is not yet convicted, and that people could still vote for her. However , he pointed out that  if Gelido wins the election abut eventually proven guilty, the Department of Interior and Local Government will take over.

Atty. Salas said that due to the incident, Barangay Bayaoas  in Aguilar and Barangay Asin Este in Malasiqui were upgraded to orange category.

From the Mata’s family, Arnel’s wife, Jacqueline, filed her certificate of candidacy on Wednesday, October 25, to substitute for her deceased husband in his bid for barangay chairmanship.

Narcisa, Arnel’s mother, told local newsmen that she flew home from Alaska, USA, to support her son’s candidacy, and said her son succeeded her as the barangay secretary prior to going overseas.  She and Barangay Captain Gelido were on good terms then.

She said differences arose after Arnel resigned as barangay secretary when he allegedly discovered anomalies.

It was his exposé that prompted citizens in the area to urge him to run for barangay chairman, Reports said he was leading in a survey, 80-20 in his favor.

P/Major Mark Ryan Taminaya, Aguilar chief of police, said that when the local police conducted a threat assessment of the candidates, Mata said he was not receiving any threats.

 

“This should send a strong message to all. The police is on top of the situation, steadfast and we commit our service to the people…We will be very quick and justice will be served to the bereaved family,” Fanged said. (Ahikam Pasion and Eva Visperas)

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