Roadside murder
Victim, who has court case, linked to court worker killed in Panabo
A WOMAN, who was previously sued for illegal recruitment, was killed yesterday afternoon by unidentified motorcycleriding gunmen along J.P Laurel Avenue in front of Cybergate in Bajada.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Police Senior Insp. Ma. Teresita Gaspan identified the victim as Odessa Refamonte, 39, married and a resident of Kalubihan in Kabacan, Matina Bucana, Davao City.
investigation shows that the victim was onboard a taxicab going to Active Finance located along J.P Laurel Avenue for an appointment with a male companion at around 1:45 p.m. Upon disembarking, two men riding in tandem on a motorcycle approached, the rider of which shot the woman from behind, killing her on the spot.
Sta. Ana Police Station commander Police Chief Inspector Nolan Raquid revealed that the suspect had an estafa and illegal recruitment cases in 2014 after enticing two siblings to pay for processing fee for employment in Japan. The case was reported by Sun.Star Davao on December 17, 2014.
Police investigators are looking into the link between Refamonte's death and the killing of a former court employee and stenographer Imelda Apole in Panabo City last August 30, 2016. Apole, who was assigned at the Regional Trial Court Branch 11 in Davao City was killed on her way home along Tadeco Road in New Visayas, Panabo City.
"Sa una kining si Refamonte, gituring niya nga amo 'to ang napatay nga si Imelda Apole, katong former stenographer, as alleged naa sila'y mga raket sa una kaning recruitment [Refamonte regarded Apole as her boss. It appears that they were moonlighting in recruitment activities]," Raquid said.
Charles Nalzaro, who was with the victim, told policemen that Refamonte was his churchmate and that he only accompanied Refamonte on his way to the PS Bank branch near the crime scene to process papers for work abroad.
Authorities recovered empty shell of undetermined caliber pistol which caused her instantaneous death due to bullet wounds in her chest.
The suspects escaped towards Plainview Street in Barangay Wilfredo Agdao, Davao City.
Investigation is still ongoing to determine the motive of the suspects as well as their identities.
"So far padayon atong investigation sa kaso, ug dili lang kini nga anggulo, daghan pa 'ta og maconsider nga angle para mahibal-an gyud nato ang hinungdan sa kremin [Our investigation continues and we are considering many angles]," Raquid said.