Suspect in killing of 2 Malabon barangay councilors arrested

A man tagged in the killing of two barangay councilors in Malabon City was charged on Monday following his arrest.

Noel Lito Nagtalon, also known as Awel, was caught on Saturday along with six other men believed to be members of a gun-for-hire group. He underwent inquest proceedings on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and violation of the Omnibus Election Code.

On March 23, Daniel Villaluna, a councilor of Barangay Concepcion and Bienvenido Reyes, a councilor of Barangay San Agustin were killed by a motorcycle-riding gunman at a gas station on the corner of General Luna and Sacristia Streets in the city.

Both were supporters of Rep. Josephine Lacson-Noel who is running for the mayoralty against the incumbent, Mayor Antolin Oreta III, who is seeking reelection.

Noel earlier condemned the killings, saying these were politically motivated as she offered a P250,000 reward for the perpetrators’ arrest.

Nagtalon was caught following the arrest of 18-year-old Jerico Macabutas who was spotted by city policemen on a motorcycle while carrying a .38-cal. revolver.  He tried to escape and led the lawmen on a chase which ended up at a house in Probex Compound on M.H. del Pilar Street, according to case investigator PO3 Alexander de la Cruz.

Nagtalon was captured next, along with other suspected hired killers inside the group’s safe house.