QC gov’t now offers P5M bounty for arrest of village exec’s killers

SOCO operatives process the crime scene at Brgy. Bagong Silangan, Quezon City where Brgy. captain Crisell Beltran died after an ambush on Wednesday January 30, 2019. INQUIRER PHOTO/Grig C. Montegrande

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has raised to P5 million its cash reward offer for the arrest of those behind the brazen murder of Barangay Bagong Silangan Captain Crisell Beltran.

This was revealed Thursday by Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Chief Supt. Joselito Esquivel Jr., a day after the local government said it would be offering P3 million cash reward in a bid to expedite the resolution of the case.

Beltran and her driver Melchor Salita were aboard an SUV and traversing a street in Barangay Bagong Silangan when motorcycle-riding suspects cut their path and shot them to death on Wednesday, January 30.

READ: QC barangay chairwoman killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen

Esquivel said investigators are now eyeing at least six suspects in the case. The QCPD has released a sketch of one of the suspects, who was described by one of the 11 witnesses after he allegedly took off his tinted helmet to reload his gun.

“I am appealing to the public na whoever na nakakita sa taong ito, pakireport niyo lang sa amin (that whoever will see this person, please report it to us),” Esquivel said in a press conference.

Several persons of interest have also been identified by the police, Esquivel said.

READ: Cops release sketch of suspect in Quezon City village chair’s murder

According to Esquivel, four angles are being eyed by investigators on the killing: politics, business, the chairwoman’s relations with illegal settlers, and love angle.

Beltran is seeking a seat at the House of Representatives for the 2nd District of Quezon City in the May midterm polls.

Esquivel said those with information on the suspects may contact the QCPD tipline at 0917 861 1870. /kga, gsg