An official from the Police Regional Office-3 disclosed that the arrested suspects in the killing of an online seller couple, gunned down by riding-in-tandem assailants in Mexico, Pampanga, are associated with the progressive group Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan (HMB).
"Hindi naman sila mga dating uniformed personnel, hindi dating pulis, hindi dating sundalo kundi mga civillian na ayon sa ating inisyal na pagiimbestiga, miyembro ng HMB o Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan," PRO-3 Regional Director Gen. Redrico Maranan said during an exclusive interview with DZRH's Dos Por Dos on Wednesday.
Maranan added that HMB's activities continue unabated in Nueva Ecija and Apalit, Pampanga.
He further mentioned that the captured group of gunmen is the second hired by the mastermind. The first set, he said, failed to complete the job, although the mastermind had already made a down payment to those individuals.
On Tuesday, police presented three of the seven suspects involved in the ambush and murder of Arvin and Lerma Lulu to the media.
Maranan stated that the police spent ten days investigating, identifying, and arresting individuals involved in the said case.
"Right after na mangyari ang pamamaril dito sa mag-asawa nung dalawang gunmen, nagtuloy-tuloy ‘yung ating tinatawag na backtracking sa pamamagitan ng pagtunton kung saan tumakas at kung saan nanggaling ‘yung mga suspects," said Maranan.
He remarked that the cooperation of witnesses, who willingly provided their statements, facilitated the description of the two gunmen and the motorcycle they used.
Subsequently, the police initiated an investigation that led them to a lead indicating the suspects were in Gapan, Nueva Ecija.
"Dahil doon ay natunton natin ‘yung pinakageneral area kung nasaan ‘yung mga suspect at unti-unti uli, nagtanong-tanong tayo sa tyaga ng mga imbestigador. Hanggang natunton natin kung saan siya [suspect] umuupa na bahay," Maranan stated.
"Hinintay nating bumalik at sa kanya ngang pagbalik, nakita ng ating mga kapulisan, may mga baril siyang dala. Inaresto na kasama ‘yung kanyang backrider na gunman din. Parehong gun man agad ang ating nakuha," he added.
Maranan reiterated that CCTV footages provided significant assistance in their investigation.
After arresting the two suspects, they were subjected to tactical interrogation, during which they eventually revealed the identities of their two accomplices who acted as lookouts.
The authorities continued their tactical interrogation with the other two suspects arrested, who revealed the identity of the middleman and the person who recruited them.
"Hanggang sa naka-anim tayo na nahuli kasama ‘yung recruiter at tyaka ‘yung middleman na tumatanggap ng bayad at parang nakikipag-usap doon sa client nila," Maranan mentioned.
"Natunton natin ‘yung mastermind, na-confiscate natin ‘yung mga cellphones at nakita natin ‘yung conversations. Nitong Lunes ng madaling araw, nakuha natin ‘yung pinaka-mastermind. Base doon sa kanilang mga usapan sa cellphone ay talagang mangingilabot ka sa kanilang mga usapan," he added.
It was confirmed that the alleged mastermind is Anthony Limon. However, the investigation is still ongoing regarding the possible involvement of his wife, JM Perez, in the crme.
"Makakasama sa kaso [JM Perez] dinadagdagan lang natin ang ebidensya laban sa kaniya upang maging matibay pag isinampa sa husgado," Maranan mentioned.
"Established natin na magkasama sila [JM Perez at Anthony Limon] sa negosyo," he added.
According to Maranan, the investigation will continue even after the suspects have been arrested. Evidence is still being gathered, and appropriate charges will be filed thereafter.
It is believed that the motive behind the crime stems from the victims' insistence on collecting a Php 13 million debt owed by the mastermind for beauty products being sold.
