Confessed gunman of Cavite fiscal arrested
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos on Sunday announced the arrest of a gunman who confessed to the New Year’s Eve murder of a Cavite prosecutor in Dasmariñas City.
The top cop said a thorough forensic examination and investigation is currently underway to dig deeper into the killing of Trece Martirez City Assistant City Prosecutor Edilbert Mendoza following the arrest of the suspect who owned up to the crime.
Carlos expressed belief the investigation into the Mendoza case could be nearing its logical conclusion with the arrest of the alleged lone gunman and another armed companion during a drug buy-bust operation on December 7 in Dasmariñas City.
According to the PNP chief, 44-year old Marvin Tagayon Linaban admitted to investigators his alleged participation in the shooting of Mendoz.
The arrested suspect expressed remorse and willingness to execute an extra-judicial confession in the presence of a lawyer of his choice.
“If all evidence and facts check out, the arrest of Linaban could be a major breakthrough in the investigation of the murder of Atty. Mendoza,” Carlos said.
A report from the Police Regional Office 4-A under Brigadier Gen. Eliseo DC Cruz said Linaban was one of the two persons arrested by members of the Cavite Police Drug Enforcement Unit in Barangay H2 in Dasmariñas City around10:30 p.m. last Friday
The 2nd identified as Elvin Esguerra, 40, was wounded and arrested in an ensuing shootout with the arresting police team. He was taken to a local hospital under heavy guard.
Linaban was found armed with a caliber .45 Thomson Auto Ordinance semi-automatic pistol while Esguerra yielded a 9mm pistol.
Both firearms have been submitted to the PNP Forensic Group for a ballistics examination to determine if they could have been used in the killing of the prosecutor.
During the drug buy-bust operation, the arresting team confiscated several heat-sealed plastic sachets containing an estimated P69,000 worth of shabu from the suspects who are facing non-bailable charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs At of 2002 and. RA 1059 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.
Mendoza was shot dead last December 31, in his residence in Barangay Cabuco, Trece Martirez City.
