Hired gun nabbed shortly after shooting victim in Antipolo
A SUSPECTED gun-for-hire was arrested by a group of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Rizal officers who were in the right place and at the right time when the suspect tried to kill his victim in Antipolo City late morning Thursday, a report to PNP-CIDG director, Brigadier General Ronald O. Lee said yesterday.
According to CIDG Region 4-A chief, Lieutenant Colonel Joel Manuel A. Ana, the suspect was arrested following a brief chase by members of the Rizal CIDG Provincial Field Office in an alley along NHA Avenue in Sitio Padilla, Barangay San Isidro in Antipolo City around 9:10 a.m. Thursday.
It turned out that the victim ran for his life when he saw the suspect as the latter was about to kill him. The gunman fired five times at the victim but only hit him twice.
When the victim dropped to the ground, the hired gun went near him to give him a “coup de grace” or the final shot to kill him.
However, luck was on the side of the badly wounded victim as members of the CIDG Rizal PFU headed by Major Leopoldo B. Cajipe Jr. heard the series of gunshots and immediately responded to the site.
“The suspect was caught while about to fire another shot at the victim’s head. He surrendered after being surrounded by my men,” said Ana.
Recovered from the possession of the gunman were a caliber .38 Smith & Wesson revolver with a defaced serial number and containing five spent cartridges and live ammunition, 36 additional cal. .38 bullets, a 12-inch knife, a kitchen knife, and a mobile phone.
Ana said that during questioning, the suspect claimed he was hired by one “Jojo Cañete” to kill the victim for P7,000 only.
The rescued victim, who was listed in stable condition at the Antipolo District Hospital, said he had learned that “Cañete” even brought the suspected gun-for-hire to his residence early morning Thursday.
The suspect is now under the custody of the Rizal CIDG PFU, along with the confiscated pieces of evidence. He will be facing criminal charges for frustrated murder and illegal firearm possession under Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearm and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.
“We are still tracking down the accused mastermind in this frustrated murder case. He will also be included in the criminal complaint we will file against the arrested gunman,” Ana said.
Lee commended the Rizal CIDG men for their prompt police response and sound judgment, which saved the life of the victim and led to the arrest of a professional killer.
