2 witnesses key to solving Del Rosario aide's killing
ROXAS CITY – Police is banking on the testimonies of the two witnesses in the killing of Arthur Cruz, an aide of Rep. Antonio Del Rosario, that would give them leads on the suspects.
The two witnesses who were at the same waiting shed where Cruz took shelter due to rain earlier emailed Bombo Radyo stating the circumstances before they heard gunshots which they later learned was directed towards Cruz.
Sr. Insp. Leo Batiles told The News Today (TNT) that two witnesses have signified intention to cooperate with the police.
The witnesses said, before the incident they saw four suspects asking Cruz to pay his debt or to have their share from something.
They said they overheard Cruz refusing to give the suspects what they want.
They also said that there was a black Sportivo believed to be the vehicle of the suspects parked near the waiting shed.
The witnesses said they later left the place and then they heard several gunshots.
Batiles theorized that Art Cruz received a cell phone call and went to the area to meet the suspects.
Cruz, 47, sustained three gun shot wounds at his lower and upper eye and wrist. Cruz was believed to have escaped from his attackers but was chased until he was hit by bullets and reached at the rice field and managed to return back to the road where he was found dead.
He was rushed to the Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital but declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Recovered from the scene of incident were 2 pairs of blue slippers and Honda motorcycle owned by the victim.
Rep. Del Rosario said in a radio interview that he offered P100,000 as reward to those who can reveal identities of the suspects.
He said Cruz is good man and have a good performance as one of his trusted man in his congressional district office.
According to him, he never believed that the killing of Cruz was politically motivated considering that it’s too early as far as politics is concerned.
Autopsy conducted by Dr. Nicasio Botin, medico-legal officer of the National Bureau of Investigation, revealed that one deformed unknown slug was extracted from his neck and one splintered unknown slug of unknown caliber was also taken from the head of the victim.
The said deformed slugs and splintered of unknown caliber are subject to be turned over to the crime lab in Iloilo City for proper laboratory examination.