Ex-cop, retired soldier nabbed for murder
POLICE Regional Office (PRO)-2 director Brigadier General Christopher C. Birung on Monday announced the capture of an ex-policeman and a retired soldier wanted for murdering a businessman in Lal-lo, Cagayan almost three years ago.
Arrested in a subdivision in Santa Maria, Cagayan were one alias Jerry, a former policeman-turned businessman in Buguey, Cagayan and alias Manny, a retired soldier.
In a report to Philippine National Police chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, the official said the two were arrested in connection with the killing of businessman Jefferson Torricer in a restobar in Brgy. Magapit, Lal-lo, Cagayan.
Birung described Jerry as the leader of a potential private armed group Alipio Group in Cagayan Valley.
He said that apart from the Torricer murder case, the accused also has an attempted murder case relative to an incident that transpired in Buguey in August 2016. No bail has been recommended for the temporary liberty of the accused in connection with the 2021 murder case.
The PRO-2 is also looking into other cases of light and grave threats involving the suspect in 2007 and 2016 respectively, the official said.
Birung said that operatives of the PRO-2 Regional Police Intelligence Operations Unit and Regional Intelligence Division led by Lieutenant Colonel Jerry M. Laylo were assisted by officers from the Santa Maria Municipal Police Station and the Bulacan Police Provincial Intelligence Unit in serving the warrant of arrest against the two.
Birung said he has ordered an intensified campaign against private armed groups in the region to prevent them from sowing violence before and during the 2025 midterm elections.
Gen. Marbil commended the policemen who arrested the suspects and brought them behind the bars of justice.
Gen. Marbil has ordered a crackdown on potential private armed group in the country which has been described as an organized group of two or more persons, whether identified or unidentified, with legally issued or illegally possessed firearms that could be utilized to sow fear and intimidation for the advancement of and protection of vested political or economic interests of a particular people or entity/organization.
In January 2022, a Cagayan politician and five others were charged in connection with the murder of then 29-year-old Torricer.
The politician allegedly shot Torricer after his co-accused manhandled the victim who was then on a vacation with his relatives in Cagayan following an argument.
