Court orders arrest of, denies bail to car theft gang head

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna—A Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Cavite province issued an arrest warrant yesterday against suspected car theft syndicate leader Ryan Dominguez and three others in connection with the murder of state witness Alfred Mendiola.

Mendiola, the star witness against the Dominguez car theft group, and two others—Mark Herrera and Eriberto Jumaquio—were found dead in Barangay Salawag in Dasmariñas City, Cavite, on May 6.

Judge Perla Cabrera-Faller, of RTC Branch 90 in Imus, Cavite, named Ryan Dominguez, Mark Mario Lakambakal, James Jimenez and Roy Blanco respondents in the multiple murder case. The court recommended no bail for the four.

Chief Insp. Marlon Santos, Cavite Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief, said police would seek a certification from the Bulacan provincial jail to prevent Jimenez and Blanco from posting bail.

On May 9, Jimenez and Blanco were arrested in Malolos, Bulacan, for illegal possession of firearms, a bailable offense, while Dominguez and Lakambakal were arrested for possession of illegal drugs, which is also bailable.

“We are serving the warrant (for multiple murder) today (Tuesday) just so the jail warden would not release the suspects until the courts decide where to commit them,” Santos said.

He said it would now be up to the courts in Bulacan and Cavite whether to transfer the four suspects to the Cavite provincial jail in Trece Martires City.

“But among the three cases filed against them, the one here in Cavite is most grave because it is multiple murder,” Santos said.