BAYAMBANG—A suspect in the gun slay of a former municipal councilor here last Nov. 16 was arrested by combined elements of a special investigation task group (SITG) investigating the murder.

P/Chief Inspector Norman Florentino, Pangasinan police spokesman who is part of the SITG probing the killing of Levin Uy, said nabbed by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the local police was a certain Alberto Jimenez, a member of the Public Order and Safety Office of the local government here and a resident of Barangay Idong this town based on the identification card recovered by the arresting team from him.

Based on Jimenez’s testimony, Florentino said the alleged gunman was also a former member of a private armed group of one politician. The suspect, he said, was also into illegal drugs and had a previous murder case but was dismissed by the court.

Jimenez was reported to have positively identified by Cesar Salusagcol, an employee of Bayambang National High School, who was with Uy and was wounded.

A case of frustrated murder has been filed against Jimenez for the shooting of Salusagcol plus illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives as the arresting team seized from him a gun, ammunition and a grenade during his arrest.

Florentino said a murder case is set to be filed against Jimenez over the killing of Uy pending the discussion with the Uy family to establish the motive for the killing.

Salusagcol was shown picture of Jimenez and the closed circuit television video footage, Florentino said.

However, Bayambang Mayor Cezar Quiambao raised doubts about the arrest of Jimenez as the alleged gunman. Quiambao said Jimenez’s body frame does not match the one shown on CCTV installed in the area. He fears the arrested suspect might be a fall guy.

Quiambao sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for an in-depth investigation.

Florentino said he welcomes Quiambao’s move.

Quiambao has earlier offered a P2-million reward and businessman Rosendo So gave another P300,000 for any information that will lead to the “real gunman and the mastermind” behind Uy’s killing.

Uy worked for 18 years in Quimbao’s personal business ventures and was his political strategist at the same time. Uy was also a friend of So. (PhilStar Wire Service/ Nora Dominguez)

 

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