ILOILO City – The special investigation task group (SITG) Palibosfer is eyeing three possible motives in the killing of three young businessmen in Estancia, Iloilo.
According to Police Senior Master Sergeant Francisco Lindero Jr., public information officer of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) and SITG spokesperson, the three possible motives are:
* robbery – considering the alleged P7.5 million in cash allegedly taken by the gunmen, as told to the police by the lone survivor, Jevron Parohinog;
* hatred – based on the narrative of Parohinog, John Mark Bosque, one of the fatalities, had angered some individuals with whom he had debts; and
* business interest – considering that Bosque was into several business ventures
“So far amo na gina-consider nga motives pero still under investigation,” Lindero said.
On Sept. 16, Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director, Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco, approved the creation of the SITG to run after the suspects and to hasten the investigation and resolution of the case.
SITG Palibosfer stands for “Parohinog-Libao-Bosque-Fernandes”, the family names of lone survivor Parohinog and the three fatalities – Mark Clarenz Libao, Bosque and Chrysler Floyd Fernandes.
The four men were onboard a white Isuzu MUX when attacked by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Barangay Villa Pani-an, Estancia, Iloilo at around 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 14 , as told by Parohinog to the police.
Bosque owned the vehicle but Parohinog was driving it.
Parohinog, who is still in the custody of the Estancia police station, is considered at this time as both a witness and a person of interest.
In his latest statement to the SITG, Parohinog said he would be able to identify one of the gunmen should he see him again.
“After the facial composite sketch immediately na-identify nya (Parohinog) ang isa didto nga naglambat sa ila kag nagtiro. Indi nya kilala by name pero dugay na nya na-encounter several times,” Lindero said.
Meanwhile, Parohinog and the three fatalities’ paraffin tests yielded negative results.
The dash camera of the Isuzu MUX and the two mobile phones of Bosque were already submitted to the Regional Anti-Cyber Crime Unit 6 and could possibly shed light on the case.
Francisco, however, said they do not have a timeframe as to when the SITG could resolve the case; instead, he said he desired for a quality result of the investigation.
On the other hand, the cash rewards for the identification and arrest of the suspects had reached P80,000. Estancia’s Mayor Marylynn Mosqueda and Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas recently offered cash rewards of P30,000 and P50,000, respectively.
“The SITG appreciated the offers of the two mayors. These may help encourage witnesses to come out,” Lindero said.
The SITG spokesperson confirmed yesterday that two witnesses already executed affidavits.
Lindero said the guard and the barangay councilor in the area have issued a “circumstantial testimony.”
Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation will conduct a parallel investigation./PN
