Maganes slaying not work-related — PD Gayo

By December 27, 2020News, Peace and Order

THE police expressed confidence that the mastermind in the slaying of newsman Virgilio Maganes, former block timer and columnist of the defunct Northern Watch, may soon be unmasked after P/Colonel Ronald Gayo, police provincial director, hinted that the killing
was not media work-related.

The motive behind the killing as not being work related after the arrest and investigation of the suspected gunman Noel Pelle Ducay, alias “Oweng”, of Barangay Carosucan, Asingan,  and the suspected spotter Romero Bustillos, a tricycle driver.

Both, together with one John Doe and a Jane Doe, were named in a complaint for murder filed before the Provincial Prosecutors Office in Villasis on December 15.

In a news conference on December 21, Gayo revealed that investigators from the Special Investigation Task Group Maganes are zeroing into the possibility that Maganes was killed as a result of an “internal conflict in a foundation” he had joined.

Gayo, however, clarified that the investigation into the slaying is still continuing and once the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) compiles additional evidence, a warrant for the arrest of the mastermind and his cohorts will be issued.

Maganes was shot dead as he was about to enter his house in Barangay San Blas in Villasis in the early morning of November 10. The perpetrators escaped on board a motorcycle.

On December 9, Ducay, a suspected gun for hire, was arrested in his home by virtue of a warrant of arrest for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition Act) issued by Regional Trial Court in Urdaneta City.

Lawmen found one Caliber 357 Smith and Wesson revolver, four pieces of ammunition for Cal. 38 revolver and one gun case. He was able to post his bail and was released.

However on December 14, one Aristotle Estabillo Axibal appeared before the Villasis police and positively identified Ducay as the one who shot Maganes dead.

Gayo said the police have already identified other persons of interest. (Leonardo Micua)

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