5 suspects in priest killing in N. Samar charged with murder
CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte — Police authorities in the region have formally filed a murder case against Jerry Espera, alias “Tiyok” and “Mark” and four John Does before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Northern Samar after a close to three months of investigation conducted by the PNP-created special investigation task group on the killing of human rights advocate priest Fr. Cecelio Lucero of Catubig, Northern Samar.
No less than Task group commander who is also the PRO-8 deputy regional director for operations Sr. Supt. Gil Hitosis said that a violation of Article 248 of the revised penal code known as murder, docketed under Case No. VIII-II-INV-09k, is now under preliminary investigation by prosecutor Rosario F. Diaz.
.Hitosis also disclosed in an exclusive interview with this paper, that as a result of its investigation, Espera who is also facing kidnapping and rape cases before the court in Northern Samar was identified by the witnesses as one of the five armed assailants who conducted the ambush and took a fire on the service vehicle driven by Lucero during the incident that occurred Sept. 6 in Barangay Layuhan, San Jose town, together with his police escort PO2 Eugene C. Bation and Isidro Miras.
“Esperas’ major participation in the Lucero murder basi sa mga testimony ng mga witnesses, aside that he was positively identified by our witnesses, nakita rin siyang huling humahabol habang armado ng van ni Fr. Lucero, he was not wearing bonnet that time, we are confident na mabibigyan ng hustisya ang biktima ng krimen na ito, ayon kasi sa SOCO report the empty shells found in the crime galing sa limang baril ng M-16 armalite ang ipinutok, meaning ang lima na tinuturong suspect ay bumaril kay Fr. Lucero including Espera being considered as one of the five triggermen,” Hitosis said.
The Philippine National Police is preparing to conduct a manhunt operation against Espera and four other John Does once the court will issue a warrant of arrest. Espera has been at large while facing pending criminal charges before the court.
Espera, according to Col. Hitosis, based on their profiling is also known to be involved in different kinds of illegal activities in Northern Samar, like illegal logging and illegal gambling and other illegal activities where he could be paid.
However, Hitosis admitted that the PNP is not considering that Lucero murder is already closed and solved, as they are still looking for more evidences to pinpoint who masterminded the said killing.
In fact, Eastern Visayas PNP regional director Chief Supt. Mario R. Sandiego said that Task Group is still in full swing of its exhaustive investigation to identify and locate other personalities behind the killing of Fr. Lucero, especially the mastermind who has the compelling motive to consummate the felony for the early closure of this case.
Hitosis said that are only hoping that Espera will be immediately arrested wherein he can help the investigation by identifying other personalities involved in the Lucero murder.
The killing of Lucero is considered to be among of the 229 murder incidents that occurred all over the region the past five years.
Earlier, police authorities identified 18 killings in Samar’s first congressional district as politically motivated. (MIRIAM GARCIA DESACADA)
- 2 suspects in Fr. Lucero killing already identified by police
- PNP: Pick 3 or swertres least in priority
- To enforce Comelec gun ban PNP to deploy another police company in Samar Island
- Petitioner for probation in Marikina found unsuitable for community-based correctional treatment
- N. Samar prov’l lawyer shot dead in Catarman
