De Lima: Some cops in cahoots with crime ring that wanted Cadavero dead

Luzviminda (mother) and Rosalinda (Sister) Cadavero looks on the casket of Ricky Cadavero-Leader of Ozamis Group at the Eastern Funeral Homes, Muntinlupa City. PHOTO BY ANDREW TADALAN

MANILA, Philippines – Some policemen may be involved in crime syndicates that wanted Ozamiz robbery-holdup gang leader Ricky Cadavero dead, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said Tuesday.

De Lima said the circumstances behind Cadavero’s killing are “suspicious.”

“There are suspicious circumstances surrounding that incident which tend to show that there are policemen protecting these syndicates wanting to silence Cadavero,” De Lima said.

She added that sooner, they will be able to identify these people.

“The NBI is really working on it,” she said.

Last week, Cadavero and Wilfredo Panogalinga, were presented to the media at Camp Crame and a ceremonial turn over by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to the Bureau of Corrections was led by Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II.

However, in the evening, the van carrying Cadavero and Wilfredo Panogalinga were allegedly ambushed. Initial reports said the two were not actually turned over to the BuCor where they were supposed to be locked up.

Cadavero escaped last December. He was sentenced to serve 67 years for a string of robbery-holdups in Metro Manila in 2011 and 2012. He was rearrested last July 12.

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