OPERATIVES of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) yesterday arrested a policeman allegedly used by suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves in the failed assassination of the latter’s business rivals two years ago.
The suspect, Staff Sgt. Noel Santa Alabata Jr, alias Alfonso Edena Tan, was nabbed at around 8:50 a.m. in front of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) building inside Camp Crame, the PNP headquarters, in Quezon City, the CIDG said.
Alabata was arrested by virtue of warrants issued by two Dumaguete City courts for attempted murder with bail of P120,000, and attempted homicide with bail of 36,000.
CIDG director Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr said Alabata, formerly assigned with the PDEG-Western Visayas, as used by Teves as a “hitman” specifically for one “Ong.”
Caramat was referring to Joseph Ong, who testified before the Senate last month in connection with the March 4 killing of former Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others, allegedly masterminded by Teves.
Ong and his business partner Sandy Tinguna alleged Alabata tried to kill them while they were manning their “tocino” restaurant in Dumaguete City in March 2021. They claimed Teves ordered the attack because the lawmaker “wanted their business.”
Alabata shot but missed Tinguna. A gun scuffle ensued between Ong and Alabata who ended up being shot near the neck and mauled by restaurant personnel.
Alabata has denied attacking Ong and Tinguna, even claiming that the scar near his neck was caused by a knife and not by a gunshot.
He also claimed several times that he does not remember details of the incident because he was unconscious at that time, annoying many senators.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs which is hearing the Degamo and other political killings in Negros Oriental, approved a motion of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada to cite Alabata in contempt. Alabata was then placed under the custody of Senate Sergeant-at-Arms. The contempt order was lifted last week.
“We are continuing with the verification (of information) against the accused who is said to be a gunman of the Teveses to determine if he is also involved in other cases,” said Caramat.
“We are going to be handling information that we may gather and we will make sure he will held responsible under the law,” added Caramat.
Aside from the attack on Degamo’s residence in Pamplona town, Teves is also facing cases for the killing of three persons in the province in 2019.
