Police arrest suspect in Argao councilor’s murder

CEBU police arrested a mobile phone and computer technician they suspect of shooting to death Argao Councilor Joaquin Banosong at the public market in Argao town last Monday.

The 32-year-old suspect identified as Reynaldo Destacamento of San Isidro, Talisay City was arrested by police at Jones Avenue, Osmeña Boulevard in Cebu City at 3:30 p.m. yesterday.

Destacamento’s voter ID card showed his name as Acil Aldarino Vellejo.

“When the witness saw the photo gallery, he identified Destacamento as the gunman,” Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Cebu provincial police chief, said.

Recovered from Destacamento’s possession was a cell phone that supposedly contained a photo album of his targets.

“The case is 80 percent solved but we are still looking for the mastermind behind the killing,” Comendador said.

Comendador also said they are looking at the business angle as the motive behind the murder.

Destacamento denied shooting down Banosong, saying his neighbors saw him at his home last June 3.

But he admitted that he has pending cases of qualified theft.

The Capitol earlier said it will raise to P100,000 the cash reward to be given to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of Banosong’s assailant.

Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale said the Capitol can increase the reward based on the recommendation of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO).

But she said they cannot source it from the province’s confidential and intelligence Funds

The 65-year-old Banosong died from gunshot wounds in his neck and temple, last Monday at the town’s public market in barangay Lamacan, Argao.

So far, the police authorities have two witnesses who provided the assailants’ facial descriptions.

Comendador has already created a task group to fast track the investigation. Correspondents Michelle L. Padayhag and Peter L. Romanillos