P.5-M Reward Against Kap's Killers

 

SEC. ABALOS, MAYOR BONA, PD FANGED ASSAIL THE CULPRITS

                                          By Mortz C. Ortigoza

MANGALDAN, Pangasinan – The Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government offered half-a-million pesos from his personal fund for the immediate identification and eventual arrest of the killers of Barangay Poblacion Chairwoman Melinda “Tonette” Morillo, 60.

STAKEHOLDERS. From left photo and clockwise: Interior Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" C. Abalos, Jr., Pangasinan's Provincial Police Office Director Col. Jeff Fanged and Mangaldan Mayor Bona Fe D. Parayno.

“I myself is offering P500, 000 reward for any information. Kalahating milyon sa makapagbigay ng impormasyon sa paghuli doon sa pumaslang po sa ating mahal na barangay Kapitan. Ito ay galing sa aking pamilya sana makatulong. Importante po dito ay mahuli natin of course ang ating kapulisan ay full force po dito,” Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" C. Abalos, Jr. told reporters at the wake of Morillo at a funeral home here last December 8 after meeting the family and friends of the late Kapitana.

Pangasinan's Provincial Police Office Director Col. Jeff Fanged, who accompanied Abalos, said that the police were looking into two angles that would be a key to identify the two killers on motorcycle when they ambushed Morillo who was driving her white Mitsubishi Montero on December 7 while it was cruising the stretch of Brgy. Tebeg of this central Pangasinan town.

“Yes! Meron tayong dalawang tinitingnan na angulo pero hindi ko pa eda-divulge ngayon para hindi ma preempt ang ating imbestigasyon”.

Fanged said that everything that could resolve the grisly murder including politics have been diligently look into.

“Napakalaking bagay po iyong binangit ni Secretary DILG ang pabuya kung sino man makatulong sa impormasyon kahit maliit na bagay mangyaring ipagbigay sa amin. Alam niyo iyong maliit magiging susi para ma-solve ang kaso,” the former chief of police of this town and now the provincial director said.

The on-the-spot police report Fanged sent to this newspaper a day after the murder said in part: "Review and backtracking of CCTV footages and continuous follow-up investigation/operation is still ongoing for the possible identification and arrest of the suspects and to determine the motive of the incident”.

Mangaldan Mayor Bona Fe D. Parayno assailed the treacherous murder of Morillo – a political ally – by assuring her family that the local government would spare no one in finding justice for her. Morillo just won her reelection bid in the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) election.

“Let this tragic incident serves as a reminder to all of us to stand united against violence and foster a culture of peace, respect and understanding in our country. It is our collective responsibility to ensure the safety and security of everyone within our jurisdiction,” the chief executive of this 30 villages’ town considered as one of the most progressive municipalities Pangasinan.

According to this town’s police report that while Morillo’s sport utility vehicle bearing plate number IAC 3712 was traversing the Tebag road heading to her 2nd house in Brgy. Tebag, one of the two suspects shot her with a Cal. 45 handgun and left after the incident heading to Brgy Poblacion, Mangaldan, Pangasinan on-board their getaway motorcycle. As a result, the victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and rushed to Region 1 Medical Center ANNEX at Brgy. Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City for medical treatment. However, Morillo was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.

To expedite the resolution of the heinous criminal case of an elected official, Col. Fanged formed a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) - Morillo.