THUS was uttered by the alleged mastermind in the killing of an Indian national last February 14 in Bgy. Batasan Hills, Quezon City, after his arrest on Thursday by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) in Quezon City.

CIDU chief PMajor Don Don Llapitan identified the suspect as Randy Almares Manalo, a 32-year-old resident of Bgy. Batasan Hills.

Manalo was arrested after he was tagged by the gunman Mark Darriel Janito Lagarde, 21, as the mastermind behind the killing of Beant Singh, a 47-year-old Indian national and resident of Bgy. Batasan Hills.

A witness to the incident told the police that on February 14 at about 2:30 p.m., the victim had just collected payments along Kagawad Road corner San Mateo Road in Bgy. Batasan Hills and was boarding his motorcycle to leave when Lagarde shot him several times resulting in the victim’s death. The suspect immediately fled after the incident.

Further investigation by CIDU operatives, with the aid of CCTV footages and through coordination with the said barangay, revealed that on February 14 at about 1:39 p.m., the gunman boarded an orange “habal-habal” motorcycle along Session Road in Bgy. Batasan Hills.

In the afternoon of February 21, the same motorcycle which was boarded by the gunman and driven by Jose Dennis Dizon was found at the habal-habal terminal along Maligaya Drive, Fairview Terraces in Bgy. Pasong Putik, Quezon City.

According to driver Dizon, he conveyed the gunman to Bgy. Batasan Hills.

On the evening of February 21, CIDU operatives received information that the suspect is a resident of Block 31, Lot 16 Bougainvilla St., Maligaya Park in Bgy. Pasong Putik.

Joint operatives of the CIDU and Batasan Police Station (PS 6) under PLt. Col. Morgan Aguilar arrested Lagarde at the said place on February 23.

During his arrest, he admitted to his participation in the killing and further revealed that Manalo was the mastermind.

Manalo was eventually arrested in Area C, Talanay, Batasan Hills, Quezon City.

Confiscated from suspect Lagarde was one caliber .380 without serial number, while one hand grenade placed in a sling bag was recovered from suspect Manalo.

The suspects will be charged with murder.

Additionally, suspect Manalo will be charged for violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9516, otherwise known as the Illegal Possession of Explosives, while Lagarde will be charged for violating RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

An investigation revealed that Manalo wanted Singh dead as he owes the foreigner an unspecified amount of money.