POLICE investigators have filed criminal charges against a policeman and three of his cohorts allegedly behind the recent killing of a Bulacan provincial board member and his driver.
Charged with two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder were Staff Sergeant Ulysses Hernani Castro Pascual, his cousin Cesar Mayoralgo Gallardo Jr., and two others who were identified only as alias Jeff and alias Lupin.
The suspects, who are all at large, were charged before the Malolos City prosecutor’s office last Monday, said Bulacan provincial director Col. Satur Ediong.
Ediong said Pascual is currently detailed with the PNP national headquarters at Camp Crame.
The four were allegedly behind the October 3 killing of Bulacan board member Ramilito Capistrano and his driver, Shedrick Suarez Toribio, in Malolos City while aboard a sports utility vehicle. Their two companions survived unscathed.
The Bulacan police provincial police office said the identification and filing of charges against the suspects were made after a “thorough and persistent investigation” conducted by the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Capistrano.
Ediong urged the public to assist the PNP by providing information that would lead to the immediate arrest of the suspects.
“We encourage anyone with relevant details to come forward to help us close this case completely,” said Ediong.
Central Luzon police regional office director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan declared the case as solved with the filing of the charges against the suspects.
“The resolution of this case is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering justice for the victims and their families,” said Maranan.
“The formation of SITG Capistrano was pivotal in ensuring accountability and the successful identification of those responsible. We remain dedicated to bringing all the perpetrators to justice, leaving no stone unturned in our pursuit,” added Maranan.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said Pascual was earlier placed under restrictive custody after initial investigation showed he drove the vehicle used in the killing of Capistrano and Toribio.
Pascual sought permission from a police guard to go home, said Fajardo. Pascual did not return and went into hiding.
Fajardo said the guard had been relieved.
Fajardo said the Pascual will face additional charges for escaping from police custody.
“Flight is a sign of guilt so if he is watching right now, it would be in his best interest to cooperate with the investigation because he was positively identified by the two vital witnesses as the one using (driving) the Mitsubishi Adventure,” said Fajardo.
