Killing of Carcar mayor’s son a ‘conspiracy’

THE  fatal shooting of Carl Vinson Apura, son of the Carcar city mayor, was a “conspiracy” involving 10 men, according to authorities.

Murder charges were filed in court yesterday against 10 persons yesterday  for the death of 25-year-old  Carl Vinson Apura who was shot dead past midnight during a disco concert in barangay Poblacion, Carcar City on May 13.

Aside from Jaybhoy Lauron, the self-confessed gunman, and Jethro Lapiña, who were arrested this week,  police identified eight others.

Mayor Nicepura Apura confirmed that Lauron was   a distant relative.

Murder charges were filed  by the Carcar City Prosecutor’s Office against the two arrested men and eight others who are at large: Jewish Lapiña, Glenn Cinco, James Ali Castañares, Jay Castañares, Zig Abarquez, Demosthenes Abarquez, Rizal Cayme and a certain “Jetto”.

No bail was recommended for  their temporary release.

Four witnesses, including a  habal-habal driver, executed a joint affidavit against the suspects.

The driver said he saw Lapiña hug the victim while Lauron got a gun from Ali Castañares.

While Vinson was bodily restrained,  Lauron allegedly shot the victim.

The other suspects were present during the crime, the driver added.

Last May 17, police arrested the 28-year-old Lauron in Bohol province. Lauron, a  construction worker, admitted he was the gunman but said he didn’t know the man he earier had a  confrontation with on the dance floor was the mayor’s son.

Lauron didn’t execute an extra-judicial confession to make formal his admission.

Police also arrested Lapiña in Carcar City. Lapiña, a piggery caretaker, denied his direct involvement in the crime.

Mayor Apura said he will file charges against the suspects even if one of them, Lauron, is a distant relative.

He said Lauron is his middle name.  He also said he won’t post reward money in order not to taint the investigation.

“In the first place, there are a lot of eye witnesses. Secondly, they might rush the investigation. If the truth is discovered, others might say it’s because of the reward,” Apura said.

While acknowledging the police’s theories that the killing was related to fraternity rivalry, Apura said he doesn’t believe Lauron’s claim that he figured in a heated argument with Carl.

“I am not pleased with the suspect’s statement that there was a heated argument. It was not in our witnesses’ account,” the mayor said.

Apura also said he doesn’t believe reports that the killing was politically motivated.

“I don’t believe it is politically motivated since we, the leaders, are united here in Carcar,” he said.

Lapiña, who was confirmed by police to be a fraternity member, earlier admitted that he helped Lauron escape.

Lauron admitted shooting Carl but denied that he knew he was the mayor’s son.

The mayor believed that Lauron knew who Carl was and that someone ordered him to kill his son. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol and Correspondent Jessa Chrisna Marie J. Agua