4 ‘persons of interest’ identified in Palawan lawyer’s slay

THE GUNMAN A screenshot from the dashcam footage retrieved by the Palawan police from the car of slain lawyer Eric Magcamit shows the gunman casually walking toward a waiting motorcycle driven by another man after shooting the lawyer along the national highway in Sitio Caraniogan, Barangay Malinao, Narra, Palawan, on Nov. 17. —PHOTO COURTESY OF PALAWAN PROVINCIAL POLICE OFFICE

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—Police in Palawan province identified at least four “persons of interest” in the killing of lawyer Eric Jay Magcamit, who was gunned down in Narra town on Tuesday.

In a press briefing on Friday morning, Police Col. Dionisio Bartolome Jr., Palawan police director, said the persons of interest were now being subjected to profiling to establish background, records and history that would lead to the identification of the suspects.

“Motive we are currently looking at is work-related. However, we remain open to pursue other motives that may surface,” he added.

Bartolome said they were still locating the motorcycle and van used by the suspects.

Magcamit was on his way to court in Quezon town on Nov. 17 when he was gunned down by two assailants as he was passing by the national highway in Sitio Caraniogan in the village of Malinao in Narra town. He was to attend a hearing in a court in Quezon town involving a grave coercion case related to a land dispute.

Bartolome assured the public there would be no cover-up in the Magcamit killing, amid reports that a police officer was involved in the crime.

“Based on our records and evidence, currently, there is no member of the PNP (Philippine National Police) from among our persons of interest… once the evidence surface, and if evidence warrants, corresponding charges will be filed. There will be no cover-up on this case and supremacy of rule of law will be upheld,” Bartolome added.

Allegations linking a police officer to the crime surfaced after Puerto Princesa City Councilor Elgin Damasco, in a post on Facebook on Thursday, revealed that a police officer allegedly threatened Magcamit on Oct. 20.

He claimed that Magcamit was so scared that he asked to be escorted when he traveled from Quezon town to the village of Abo-Abo in Sofronio Española town.

Land dispute

Joel Hermogenes, Magcamit’s client in Quezon town, said in a phone interview on Friday that he believed the killing was related to his four cases that the lawyer was handling.

Hermogenes’s four cases were lodged against a certain Marcelino Quiyo involving alleged grave coercion, grave threat, malicious mischief, and violation of Republic Act No. 7610, or Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

Hermogenes also recalled that on Oct. 20, his wife received a text message from Magcamit informing her that he received text messages threatening both the lawyer and his client.

Hermogenes revealed that on Sept. 8, his house was also peppered by with bullets. He said police found 37 spent shells of 9-millimeter and .45-caliber guns at the scene.