Gun in Batocabe slay found in septic tank

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has recovered in a septic tank in Camarines Sur the dismantled parts of a caliber .45 pistol believed to have been used in the killing of Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his security escort on Dec. 22.

Chief Supt. Arnel Escobal, regional director of Bicol Regional Police Office, said the septic tank was located near the house of Emmanuel Rosello, one of the drivers of the getaway motorcycles used by the suspects, in Zone 5, Barangay Santo Niño, Pili.

The gun parts were discovered around 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

Found were the gun barrel, slide, a stabilizer, two magazines, a barrel bushing, a slide lock, a stabilizer guide, three fired cartridge cases and 34 live rounds from a caliber .45 pistol.

Escobal said the pistol was used by Rolando Arimando alias “RR,” who served as a lookout and backup gunman in the killing of Batocabe and SPO2 Orlando Diaz during a gift-giving event in Daraga, Albay. Six others were injured in the attack.

Arimado allegedly gave the pistol to Rosello for disposal after the assassination. Rosello threw the gun into septic tank.

“As per revelation, the gun was used by Arimaldo. It was given to Boboy,” Escobal said.

Rosello was arrested in Daraga, Albay on Jan. 3 but it was only recently that he confessed to police he got rid of the pistol.

Escobal said Rosello’s confession may have been prompted by the surrender of the other members of the hit squad.

The recovered gun parts were subjected to laboratory examinations to determine if it would match the caliber .45 shells recovered from the crime scene, Escobal said.

Earlier, the PNP chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde, said ballistics tests revealed that some of the bullet shells found at the crime scene were fired from the licensed gun used by Henry Yuson, the main gunman.

Yuson, along with the other members of the six-man hit team who either surrendered to or were arrested by the police, all pointed to Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo as the mastermind in the assassination plan.

“We are confident that Yuson and the other suspects are telling the truth. This will further boost our case against them,” Albayalde said.

Baldo has vehemently denied the accusation.

Double murder and multiple frustrated murder charges had been filed against the seven suspects.