Iloilo cops off to secure detained suspect in vice mayor's killing
A team of operatives from the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) are off to Butuan City for an official mission.
A result of an ambush here Friday evening, orders are now out for the Iloilo police to pick up victim cum ambush survivor, Dennis Cartagena of Braulan, San Enrique, Iloilo.The 26 year-old Ilonggo is the same man subject of an arrest warrant for the murder of Ajuy Vice Mayor Ramon Rojas Jr.
While no direct link as of yet was confirmed by the police on Cartagena's ambush and his involvement in the Rojas murder, killed in said incident was fellow murder suspect and longtime friend, Edgar Cordero.
Cartagena since tagged as among the suspects fled to Butuan with his pal and their respective families.The two apparently planned the relocation and supposed new lives with assumed names "Dave Panisales" for Cordero and "DJ Herrera" for Cartagena.
The duo has been in Barangay San Francisco for some two months now.
Cartagena was reached by Bombo Radyo Iloilo.He was lengthily interviewed over the weekend, professing his innocence on the Rojas murder.
He defended his association with Cordero while stressing that he has not killed nor can kill anyone unless his life is threatened.
His pal, named one of Iloilo's Most Wanted has since been implicated in previous hold-up incidents here and purported to be a 'gun-for-hire.'
Cartagena said both he and Cordero were in Lambunao, Iloilo when news broke out on the vice mayor's murder.He also acknowledged hearing the name "Vicente Espinosa" as the supposed mastermind yet denied knowing him personally.
It was in June when they decided to leave Iloilo, he further disclosed and got to Butuan City after stops in the cities of Bacolod, Cebu and Surigao.
Meantime, Cartagena said he is at a loss as to who would want them dead following the ambush in Purok 18, Mahay, Butuan City.On board a motorcycle, the two stopped for a break by the roadside when approached and fired upon by unknown gunmen.
Cordero was shot twice as Cartagena managed to escape.One Joe Bajade remains at large and considered by the Butuan City police as a possible suspect cum accomplice in the ambush.
The arrest warrants for Cordero and Cartagena were issued by Judge Rogelio Amador of Branch 66 of the 6th Regional Trial Court here.