With Cartagena in their hands, police see light in Rojas slay case
Cartagena: Will he be the key to finally
solve the murder of Ajuy Vice Mayor
Ramon Rojas?
Police yesterday announced a major breakthrough in the killing of Ajuy town Vice Mayor Ramon Rojas with the arrest of one of the suspected gunmen.
Dennis Cartagena was presented to the media yesterday in a press conference at the Iloilo provincial capitol by Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas Sr., Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas, Western Visayas police director, and Iloilo police director Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz after the suspect arrived from Butuan City tightly guarded by a police team.
Cartagena, 26, was arrested last Friday in Butuan City after he and Edgar Cordero, the other suspected gunman in Rojas' killing, were ambushed by unidentified armed in Barangay Majay in Butuan City. Cordero died from multiple bullet wounds.
Police earlier filed murder and frustrated murder against Cordero and Cartagena for the killing of Rojas.
Two motorcycle-riding armed men gunned down Rojas last May 22 while he was jogging along the national highway two kilometers from the town proper of Ajuy, around 87 km north of Iloilo City.
Rojas died on the spot from four gunshot wounds in the head and body. Police recovered four empty shells from a .45-caliber pistol from the crime scene. Rojas' companion, Barangay Captain Armando Nacional was left unharmed.
The two suspects had eluded arrest despite a manhunt and a P150,000 cash reward for their arrest. Investigators believed they have been staying in Butuan for around two months before they were ambushed last week.
During the press conference, Dela Paz refused to give details on the ambush on the two accused but said the incident was related to the killing of Rojas.
Investigators had included Rojas' cousin, businessman Vicente "Itik" Espinosa in the criminal complaint alleging that he was the mastermind in the killing of his cousin.
But in a resolution on August 12, the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor's Office dismissed the complaint against Espinosa for lack of probable cause. Espinosa has repeatedly denied the accusation against him.
Yesterday, Iloilo provincial board member Jett Rojas, cousin of the victim and Espinosa, again accused Espinosa of being the mastermind in the killing.
Board member Rojas claimed that this was confirmed by Cartagena during a meeting before the press conference.
"He (Cartagena) assured me that he will tell the truth. He confirmed that Vicente 'Itik' Espinosa was behind the killing," said board member Rojas.
Cartagena, who was standing behind Rojas wearing a bullet proof vest, did not confirm or deny the statements of the board member. He was advised by his lawyer, Edmund Guillen, assistant regional director of the Public Attorney's Office, not to issue any statement.
Rojas welcomed the arrest of Cartagena and urged the courts and prosecutors "to be impartial in handling the case."
"Thank God that he (Cartagena) was brought here alive," he said.
The board member also claimed that he along with Ajuy Mayor Juancho Alvarez were also being eyed for assassination.
Espinosa's legal counsel Edeljulio Romero said Rojas' allegations against his client were "hearsay."
"They were all allegations that did not even come from the supposed gunman. But my client maintains that he has nothing to do with the killing," Romero said in a telephone interview.
Dela Paz said Cartagena will be detained at the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center in Pototan, Iloilo. He said they have prepared necessary security plan to ensure Cartagena's safety in jail.
Dela Paz also assured the safety of Cartagena's family.