Manhunt on for cop, pal tagged in Cabanatuan City abduction, killing

CABANATUAN CITY—A police major and his unidentified companion are facing separate charges of kidnapping and murder for allegedly abducting a woman and killing a company driver in this city recently.

Lt. Col. Carl Omar Fiel, city police chief, identified the suspects as Maj. Antonio Cuaresma, deputy chief of police of Binmaley town in Pangasinan province, and a certain “Abu,” who reportedly acted as the gunman.

Fiel said the two were tagged in the abduction of Cuaresma’s alleged paramour, a 47-year-old operations manager of an ice cream company here, and in the killing of Jonathan Fernandez, 38, a driver for the company, on April 29.

Investigation disclosed that Fernandez, a resident of Barangay Lagare in this city, was shot several times with a short firearm along the Cabanatuan-Carmen Road in Barangay Pamaldan here.

Fernandez died instantly from multiple bullet wounds. The shooting was witnessed by some villagers.

Fiel said some people tried to help Fernandez but the gunman fired warning shots to ward them off.

Investigation showed that Cuaresma drove an Asian utility vehicle, which was used in the crime.

The suspects brought the woman to a hotel in Barangay San Sebastian, Tarlac City, where she “created” a commotion, prompting hotel personnel to call the police.

But Cuaresma and Abu allegedly managed to elude arrest.

Fiel said the woman told police that she witnessed the killing of Fernandez.

According to the woman, Cuaresma suspected her of having an illicit affair with Fernandez, which she denied.

Fiel said a manhunt operation against the suspects was underway as investigators obtained security camera footage in the vicinity of the crime scene.

TSB