2 firemen, witness in Del Castillo killing get threats
Two members of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and one witness in the murder of Provincial Fire Marshal Supt. Casiano del Castillo have reported receiving threats days after the latter's killing.
Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) Director Senior Supt. Bartolome Tobias confirmed that they received information that two members of the fire bureau received threats to their lives. The two might be holding vital information which could lead to the resolution of Del Castillo's murder, said Tobias.
The city police chief did not elaborate on the full details of the threats or in what manner the threat was done as police is still validating all the information.
Tobias said the names of the fire personnel are also withheld to protect them.
Investigators are closely coordinating with the BFP to validate the information provided to the police. With the information, police is extending all the support to secure and protect them, said Tobias.
Del Castillo was shot dead by two motorcycle-riding men while on his way home last Friday, August 22. Before he was shot dead, Del Castillo divulged several anomalies in the fire bureau which includes missing firearms, unbid projects and overpriced purchase of firetrucks.
When still alive, there were charges and counter-charges between Del Castillo and retired Fire Regional Director Edgar Gimotea. It was learned that Del Castillo's revelations particularly on the firearms issue could affect not only officials of the fire bureau but also of the police.
Meanwhile, Barangay Captain Oscar Montaño of Brgy. Quezon, Arevalo reported that two motorcycle-riding men made rounds on their residence midnight of Monday, August 25.
Montaño, is considered a vital witness in the killing of Del Castillo. He has reportedly seen the faces of the triggerman and the suspect's accomplice at the crime scene. Though he has not officially signed his sworn affidavit, the barangay captain has been very cooperative since the police started the probe.
At present, police has two witnesses and hoping to get more to pin down the suspects in Del Castillo's murder.
In a radio interview, Montaño said the suspects even swayed the plants near their house. The area is dim that the Montaños could not see the |faces of the suspects. They immediately left the house after Montaño called for police assistance.
On his part, Tobias said they will provide the necessary security assistance to protect all the witnesses in the Del Castillo killing.