* New witness surfaces *
DOJ reopens probe
ROXAS City – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has reopened its investigation on the May 4, 2012 murder of Vice Mayor Abel Martinez of Mambusao, Capiz.
A new witness came forward to confess his participation in the killing and identified Department of Public Works and Highways contractor Leodegario “Jun” Labao Jr. as mastermind of the gruesome murder.
Martinez, 79, a community doctor, was on his third term as vice mayor when he was assassinated.
Fondly called “Doc Abel” by his townsfolk, Martinez signified his intention to run for mayor of Mambusao and would have been pitted against Labao.
Labao, who is running for mayor under the National Unity Party, could not be reached for comment regarding this new development.
He is closely associated with then Capiz 2nd District congressman Fredenil Castro, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante.
In previous interviews, Labao had denied having anything to do with Martinez’s assassination. He even pledged to add P100,000 to the P800,000 cash reward being offered to whoever could give information leading to the identification and arrest of Martinez’s killers.
Martinez was shot to death outside his house in Brgy. Poblacion Proper, Mambusao, about 45 kilometers southeast of this city.
Around 6 a.m., the assailant shot him thrice on the head and twice on the body.
The gunman then casually walked toward a waiting companion with a motorcycle parked some 100 meters away from Martinez’s house, a witness said.
THE WITNESS
The new witness, Roger Loredo, alleged that Labao, together with a certain Philippine Army staff sergeant Rommel Pamotillo alias “Nene Army,” planned, ordered and paid him, Gilbie Principe and two others to gun down Martinez.
If Loredo were to be believed, he was the designated driver of the getaway motorcycle and Principe was the gunman and operation leader.
The two others he only identified as Sonny and Buddy acted as backups, added Loredo.
After shooting Martinez, Loredo said, he and Principe drove towards Sigma town. From there, they stopped and Principe took over driving their motorcycle.
According to Loredo, a white vehicle with stripes on the side and allegedly owned by Labao suddenly appeared and led Principe towards Roxas City.
Loredo alleged that they were brought to a huge walled compound with a number of heavy equipment in the vicinity.
It was inside that compound where Labao invited Principe to enter an office with him left waiting outside, said Loredo.
After approximately 10 minutes, said Loredo, Labao, “Nene Army” and Principe emerged from the office.
In his presence, said Loredo, Labao handed Principe an envelope.
From the contents of the envelope, Principe took out P3,000 and gave it to him, said Loredo.
After they left the compound, Loredo said he and Principe parted ways.
Loredo said he took a jeepney to Sigma after which boarded a Ceres bus to Iloilo.
P150,000 CONTRACT
After a week, said Loredo, he and Principe met in Dueñas, Iloilo.
According to Loredo, he was given P40,000 as payment for his role in Martinez’s killing.
If Loredo were to be believed, the total contract price for the assassination job was P150,000, agreed upon as early as March 2012 in Brgy. Bating, Mambusao, Capiz.
Loredo also alleged that in June 2012, he and Principe again went to the walled compound of Labao to accept the “bonus” they were promised.
He said Labao once more congratulated them for a job well done and inquired if they could still be relied on to do another job much bigger than the Martinez contract.
Loredo said he and Principe just smiled at Labao.
Prior to his death, Martinez openly questioned and condemned through a privilege speech in the Sangguniang Bayan the demolition and reconstruction of the Mambusao public plaza without an ordinance authorizing such action, and lack of proper public bidding for the project.
Martinez’s privilege speech and subsequent media interviews garnered negative public reaction towards the Mambusao public plaza project contractor who happened to be Labao.
At present, Loredo is detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility in Pototan, Iloilo.
It was from jail that Loredo gave his sworn statement in the presence of a public attorney.
Principe, meanwhile, died in a grenade blast while surrendering to the police in Brgy. Fatima, Jaro, Iloilo City on October 13, 2012.
Principe, resident of Brgy. Iwa, Pototan, Iloilo, holed himself inside the comfort room of an apartment on Del Carmen St., Brgy. Fatima, Jaro after fleeing a police checkpoint on the corner of E. Lopez and Jalandoni streets past 1 a.m. of that day.
Policemen negotiated for his surrender but there was loud explosion as he was coming out of the comfort room.
Principe died on the spot.
