‘Mistahs’ of slain PCSO exec put up P1-M reward for new info on perpetrators

Screenshot from the CCTV footage showing the motorcycle-riding gunman firing shots at the vehicle of PCSO Board Secretary Wesley Barayuga in Mandaluyong City. Screenshot provided by the Mandaluyong City PNP

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Matikas” Class of 1983 is offering a P1-million reward for those who can provide fresh information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators behind the murder of their “mistah,” Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Board Secretary Wesley Barayuga.

In a statement, the Matikas Class said the reward had been put up because the case “had gone cold” despite the investigation of Mandaluyong police task force as well as the National Bureau of Investigation. The group said this offer hopes to bolster again initiatives to arrest the killers of Barayuga, who belonged to PMA class of 1983.

“Any person having any information related to the crime is requested to call the PMA Matikas Class of 1983 at telephone numbers 0921-6540715 (Smart) or 0967-3155108,” read the statement.

“The information given that leads to the determination of the identity and apprehension of any person or persons will be given the reward no later than one month after his/their arrest. All reward claims must be in writing and shall be received in person,” it added.

The reward can be claimed at the PMA Alumni Center in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the class said.

One of the class officers of PMA Matikas Class said they are coordinating with officials in Camp Crame, the main headquarters of the PNP, regarding this initiative to boost the information gathering that will eventually solve the case.

In a text message to INQUIRER.net on Thursday, Mandaluyong police chief Col. Hector Grijaldo Jr. said the police are still moving forward with the investigation, noting that investigators are currently gathering evidence.

“The task group Barayuga is still on the way forward on its investigation. All possible positive results for the resolution of the case so far on the process of gathering evidence pa rin po tayo,” he said.

Barayuga was fatally shot last July by unidentified assailants while he was about to go home from his office in Mandaluyong.

Law enforcers investigating the case said the killing of the PCSO official could be work-related.

Barayuga was appointed as PCSO corporate secretary on January 24, 2018, and had been instrumental in cleansing the roster of small-town lottery operators that replaced the illegal numbers game of jueteng in Central Luzon and Visayas areas.

He retired from the la enforcement service with a rank of police general on October 31, 2014. He was deputy director of the Directorate for Logistics at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

JPV