THE ten suspects accused in the double murder case of the security escort of former Biliran representative Glen Chong – Richard Santillan, and his companion Gessamyn Casing are now under police custody after they turned themselves in to the Legazpi City Police Station.
In a press release issued by the Police Regional Office 5 – Regional Public Information Office, the 10 accused have turned themselves to the local police at 10:00 AM today and will be turned to Cainta authorities.
“Minabuti umano ng mga ito na sumuko sa Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) upang sagutin ang mga paratang laban sa kanila. Umaasa rin itong mabigyan ng pagkakataong marinig ang kanilang panig upang pabulaanan ang mga alegasyon laban sa kanila patungkol sa krimen.”
Katulad ng matagal ng hiling ng pamilya nina Santillan at Casing na hustisya ay gayundin umano ang kanilang pagnanais na bigyan sila ng patas na pagdinig sa kaso upang mangibabaw ang totoong mga pangyayari. Nais nilang umusad ang kaso at makamit ang kapanatagan di lamang para sa pamilya ng mga napatay kundi para rin sa kanilang ikatatahimik.”
The suspects were identified as:
Police Staff Sergeant Julius S. Villadarez, City; Police Staff Sergeant Richard J. Raagas, Police Corporal Arthur Gerard R. Ignacio, Patrolman Napoleon T. Relox, Patrolman Jordan P. Antonio, Patrolman Marvin T. Santos, and Patrolman Terry Anthony Alcantara Patrolman Efren D. Areola, Jr., Police Corporal Merwin C. Macam, and Police Corporal Diogenes N. Barrameda, Jr.
They were former personnel of the PNP Highway Patrol Group and Police Regional Office 4-A (CaLaBaRZon) at the time the ambush transpired.
The men were indicted in the two cases of murders issued by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 99, Antipolo City for the deaths of Santillan, and Casing who were ambushed last December 9, 2018, in San Andres, Cainta, Rizal.
Earlier the police have claimed the shooting was in line with police operations against the so-called syndicate that was involved in drug trafficking, carnapping, robbery, and killings in the Cainta floodway area.
The police also claimed Santillan fired at the pursuing operatives, who apparently mistook his Toyota Fortuner SUV for a vehicle used by the syndicate.
However, when the NBI conducted a forensic examination, the victims’ clothes and hands tested negative for gunpowder, contrary to the PNP’s report.
