Suspect in handcuffs graphics. INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The gunmen and a cohort behind the fatal shooting of two village “tanod” over karaoke dispute were arrested in a Quezon City motel, authorities said Thursday.
Quezon City Police District (QCPD) chief General Rederico Maranan said Ricardo Lucas Jr., 44; and Ernie Tambaoan, 40; along with Jenny Joy Roldan, 31, live-in partner of Tambaoan, were arrested in an “apartelle” or motel on Wednesday.
Roldan will be charged with obstruction of justice for coddling the suspects, Maranan said.
Maranan said heated arguments over videoke led to the death of Pelagio Cabaddu, 43; Cornelio Nuval Jr., 57, who were both barangay public safety officers. The incident occurred in Barangay Sauyo.
“Our barangay tanods were fulfilling their duty to apprehend them, who were still singing videoke at midnight,” Maranan said in a press conference, partly in Filipino.
“When they confronted Tambaoan, they had a heated altercation which led to Lucas pulling out his firearm then shooting Mr. Cabaddu at the back,” he continued.
Maranan presented the two suspects during the press conference.
Tambaoan was the only one who responded to the questions.
“The barangay officials are biased [against us],” he said in an interview with reporters, partly in Filipino.
“When we were the ones using the videoke, the barangay [officials] always call us out and turn our karaoke machines off, but they do not call out the others,” he said.
READ: 1 dead, 2 hurt in shooting at drinking session in Candelaria, Quezon
Maranan also noted that both Tambaoan and Roldan were alleged “gun for hires” who had criminal records in Ilocos Region and Central Luzon.
“So, we would assume that their presence here in Quezon City has something to do with their activities,” Maranan said.