Village watchman nabbed for Mandaluyong chair’s death

A barangay watchman (tanod), who allegedly gunned down a barangay captain, was apprehended while he was eating at a fast food in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday night.

Senior Supt. Joaquin Alva, Mandaluyong City police chief, identified the suspect as Christopher Calumbay, 36, a Barangay Malamig watchman.

Barangay Poblacion chair Godofredo “Goody” Tolentino, 63, was shot dead by a lone gunman inside his son’s billiards hall on Reyes St. in Barangay Poblacion on October 9. Witnesses said that the gunman shot Godofredo in the head thrice from behind.

Calumba denied the charges, insisting that he is innocent and has nothing to do with the death of the chairman.

His co-workers claimed that he was with them at the barangay hall on the date when Tolentino was slain. They said that Calumba could have just been mistaken as the gunman as he has the same physical features similar to the gunman.

Calumba, according to reports, was apprehended while he was eating at a fast food near Boni MRT station at about 7:30 p.m. by a team led by Police Sr. Insp. Virgilio Platon.

Alva said that a witness identified Calumba as the gunman of Tolentino.

Tolentino was a former body guard of Mandaluyong ex-mayor Benhur Abalos. Aside from being a chairman, Tolentino was also the vice president of the Association of Barangay Captains in Mandaluyong.