An Army soldier and two others, including a government militiaman, are now facing murder charges for the death of a barangay kagawad Thursday last week in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
Army Sgt. Rico Fuertes, Special CAFGU member Rex Muchuela, and Ellenel Boy Marquez were charged yesterday for murder before the Sagay City Prosecutor’s Office, in connection with the killing of Lopez Jaena barangay kagawad Mario Negro in Sagay City, police chief, Maj. Albert Sy, said.
Sy said that Fuertes, who was tagged as the alleged gunman, had also been tested positive for gunpowder nitrates, as a result of paraffin tests.
The arrest of Fuertes, Muchuela and Marquez came after former SCAA member Marcial Maquimot was intercepted by policemen, who were conducting pursuit operations against the two motorcycle-riding suspects responsible for the death of Negro.
Sy said they also recovered the firearm used in the killing of Negro, who was included in the drug watchlist of the Sagay City Police Station.
Fuertes was reported as an assistant detachment commander stationed in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.
Sy said he considers the killing of Negro as “case closed” and solved, following the arrest and filing of charges against the suspects, who are now in jail.*GPB