Gun seized from mayor's aide not the murder weapon
The .45 caliber pistol recovered from the possession of the policeman bodyguard of Tapaz Mayor Romualdo Exmundo was not the one used to shoot dead Vice Mayor Victor Gardose and two others last week. At the same time, police investigators ruled out the possible involvement of the New People's Army (NPA) and other armed groups in the killing, which is now strongly believed to be politically-motivated.
Forensic firearms examiner, Senior Inspector Hilarion Paulino Roga Jr. said in his report that the shells from the .45 cal. pistol recovered from Police Officer 3 Danilo Gelilang were not compatible with the seven shells recovered from the crime scene in Brgy. Taft, where Gardose, his bodyguard Anton Gequillo and Carida punong brgy. Leonardo Jimeno were shot at close range by a masked gunman as they were alighting from a vehicle at about 7 p.m. last December 30.
However, Task Force Gardose head, Senior Superintendent Reynaldo Rafal said that the gun was tested positive for gunpowder residues, meaning that it was discharged. Rafal said that the handgun, which bore the serial number 1203932, was issued to an active member of the Philippine Army assigned with the 12th Infantry Battalion. The Task Force will confirm with the Army general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo to whom the firearm was issued.
Despite the forensic report, the charge of illegal possession of firearm will still be filed against Gelilang, who is now restricted at the Capiz Provincial Police Office in Roxas City.
"We will look deeper into his involvement," Rafal said of Gelilang. According to reports, Gelilang was seen near the crime scene when the three victims were shot but he did not respond.
The Task Force head disclosed that Gelilang's record is far from being spot-free. He is accused of shooting someone who stoned a board member's house sometime in the 90s, Rafal said of Gelilang.
"He had long been with the Exmundos," Rafal added.
Shortly before he was killed, Gardose announced that he will be running for mayor. "We have strong evidence that this has something to do with politics," Rafal said.