Rebel returnee laid to rest, kin crying for justice
ROXAS CITY – Slain rebel returnee Levy Hurtada was buried last Saturday morning at Cuartero public cemetery but his family are still crying for justice as police have yet to identify any suspect.
Earlier, Filamer Christian College (FCC) Alumni Association President Fernando Diaz condemned the brutal killing of Hurtada.
Police are still facing a blank wall in their investigation as to who are responsible for the ambush of Hurtada.
Senior Supt. Josephus Angan, provincial director of the Capiz PNP office, said that investigation on the case is still going on and that they are entertaining several possible angles.
He urged witnesses to come out and share information on the incident.
Hurtada, 55, of San Lorenzo Village, Punta Tabuc, Roxas City, was gunned down by two assailants while riding a single motorcycle with his son and daughter on their way to school around 6:30 a.m. Monday at Block 3 of Alvarez Subdivision, Brgy.10 this city.
Hurtada sustained four fatal wounds on his head which caused his immediate demise.
Hurtada’s son Lian Levy,13, first year high school student of Capiz National High School (CNHS) was also hit by bullet on his left hand. He is now admitted at the same hospital where he is already out of danger.
On the other hand, Princess, 11, a grade six pupil of President Manuel Roxas Memorial School (PMRS) was unharmed during the ambush.
Recovered at the scene of incident were: One unit of single motorcycle, color blue Predator 150 used by the victims, 2 empty shells of .45 caliber, 3 empty shells of 9mm, 1 live ammunition of 9mm and 1 slug of 9mm.
SPO3 Orly Baril, investigator of the Roxas PNP Station, revealed that the two suspects who were wearing six-pocket camouflage short pants and black jacket shot Hurtada several times and fled away towards Kilometer 1. Baril added the suspects are in their late 20s and about 5’5” to 5’6” tall.
Leonila, wife of the slain rebel returnee, told The News Today (TNT) that her husband has not received any death threats or foes lately. She added that her husband was a friendly person.
Hurtada a.k.a. Commander ‘Mama’, a native of Cuartero, was finance officer of Communist Party of the Philippines/News People’s Army (CPP-NPA) Eastern Front Committee. He came back to the folds of the law in 1992 during the stint of Former Gov. Esteban Contreras.
He was recipient of several financial assistance under the amnesty program of the national government.