AFP augments police probe on assassination of Fire Marshal
Ongoing police investigation on the liquidation of Iloilo's top fire department official is getting additional support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) here.
The victim, Provincial Fire Marshal Casiano Del Castillo was gunned down late Friday afternoon in Arevalo District, Iloilo City. His killing believed by authorities and intelligence operatives as work of guns-for-hire.
With murder charges being readied by the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), witnesses have been secured and added evidences gathered over the weekend. Identity of the triggerman has been established alongside his associate in the get-away motorcycle.
"The police already have clear suspects and we are ready to support them anytime they need us," Captain Lowen Gil Marquez of the AFP's 3rd Civil Relations Group told The News Today (TNT).
The extent of AFP help however was not immediately disclosed in detail.
Meantime, sources told TNT that one of the witnesses went "under surveillance" by suspicious men over the weekend. It is feared in the area near the crime scene that said men were sent by Del Castillo's attackers.
"They want to instill fear most to protect the mastermind," another source in a text message to a prober said.
Del Castillo was killed at close range in Phase 2, Landheights Subdivision. A total of five shots were fired.
Bombo Reporter Bernard Broniola told TNT that it was only a week before the killing when Del Castillo mentioned about a death threat.
Broniola said it was then believed by the slain fire chief that the threats to his life were directly linked to his various expose' on anomalies within the bureau.
Since his assumption into office, Del Castillo brought to light the unaccounted high-powered firearms here, purportedly questionable repair of firetrucks, controversies surrounding the recruitment of new firemen.
Del Castillo took over the post left behind by former Provincial Fire Marshal Edgar Gimotea.
Charges were relatedly filed following Del Castillo's disclosures.