3 of 7 suspects in ambush of Cebu cops under custody – CIDG

MANILA, Philippines — Three of seven suspects in an ambush in  that left one police intelligence officer dead and another wounded are now under police custody, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Thursday.

The suspects are reportedly part of a gun-for-hire group operating in the Visayas.

CIDG acting director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico said the group’s alleged leader surrendered to the Pasig City police on Wednesday night, days after a nationwide manhunt was launched.

“The prime suspect is already in the custody of the PNP. He was flown back to Cebu early this morning,” Morico told reporters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

The suspect faces murder and frustrated murder complaints along with two other suspects arrested earlier in Cebu. Four more remain at large.

“All of them participated equally in the ambush. [The primary suspect] himself was the driver who stepped out of the vehicle and fired without provocation,” Morico said, adding that the suspects used long and short firearms in the attack.

Morico said the suspects are part of a  gun-for-hire ring linked to previous murder and shooting incidents.

“These suspects had been jailed before but were released. They regrouped in Cebu and resumed their activities,” he said.

The CIDG chief said the two officers, Police Captain Joel Deiparine and Police Executive Master Sergeant Artchel Tero, were conducting a legitimate surveillance operation when they were attacked.

Deiparine was killed, while Tero was wounded in the incident. Both were seasoned intelligence operatives assigned to the CIDG Cebu unit.

A ₱500,000 reward, raised by private individuals, had been offered for information leading to Malto’s capture.

Pasig City police chief Col. Hendrix Mangaldan said the prime suspect surrendered around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, accompanied by two Pasig City councilors who helped facilitate his surrender.

“After what happened in Cebu, he went to Manila and felt the pressure of the nationwide manhunt. He decided to surrender,” Mangaldan told reporters in a phone interview.

The suspect was turned over to CIDG operatives and flown back to Cebu on Thursday morning.

Morico said operations continue to track down the remaining four suspects.

“This is a gun-for-hire group, and we are determined to dismantle it,” he said. /gsg