NBI help sought for hold departure order: 2 more suspects charged in Pangasinan mayor’s slay

By Eva Visperas 

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan  – Police have filed three counts of murder and frustrated murder against two more suspects in the June 7 gun-slaying of Urbiztondo Mayor Ernesto Balolong Jr. and two others.

Charged before the provincial prosecutor’s office in San Carlos City last Wednesday were Rami Tiongson Santos and Eduardo Nicolas alias Gay, both residents of Concepcion, Malabon City.

This developed after Task Force Balolong obtained the sworn statements of Greg Orense, who operates a rent-a-car business; Marissa Abuan, owner of a rented apartment; and Donny Ravago and Richard Yangao, owner and driver of a Toyota Innova, respectively, according to a report of Senior Supt. Sterling Raymund Blanco, acting provincial police director.

The suspects in the killing used a brand new, dark gray Toyota Innova as getaway vehicle that they rented in Metro Manila. They also rented an apartment.

Investigation showed that the name Ramil Tiongson Santos, which appeared in the passport presented for the Toyota Innova’s rental, was nowhere in the records of the Department of Foreign Affairs, as verified with the regional consular office in San Fernando, La Union.

It turned out that Passport No. EB0807508, which was purportedly issued to Santos, was actually issued to one Jesah Abelido Gelantaga-an on Aug. 20, 2010 in DFA-Manila.

This led the task force to file charges against Santos and Nicolas, who rented the house used during the transaction and who accompanied Santos to rent the Toyota Innova.

Police found the vehicle abandoned in Barangay Caoayan Kiling, San Carlos City after the Balolong slay.

Meanwhile, a separate case for frustrated murder was also filed against Eduardo de Guzman, Marito Sarmiento, and one John Doe.

De Guzman and Sarmiento were nabbed on the night of June 7 in Bugallon town. Murder charges were filed against them after their arrest.

The frustrated murder charges involved the wounding of Jose Vigilla, 18; Jimboy Palisoc, 19; and Rogelio Esguerra, who were at the crime scene when Balolong, his police escort PO1 Eliseo Ulanday and supermarket employee Edmund Meneses were shot dead.

This, as investigators handling the murder case of Balolong Jr. will seek the help of the Bureau of Immigration and the Department of Justice for the issuance of a hold departure order (HDO) against Santos and Nicolas.

Blanco, said they would check the requirement for the issuance of the HDO.

The two suspected triggermen, Eduardo de Guzman and Marito Sarmiento, arrested shortly after the killing, are detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in San Carlos City.

Meanwhile, the Dagupan City council has passed a resolution requesting Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima to recall the suspension order on the permit to carry firearms outside residence (PTCFOR).

The suspension was imposed last June 13 following the visit of President Aquino to the wake of Balolong, his party mate in the Liberal Party.

In its resolution, the Dagupan City council said the suspension “is not a practical solution to the killings, considering that those involved in the heinous crimes do not use licensed firearms to kill their innocent victims.”

The provincial board, in an approved resolution authored by board member Alfonso Bince Jr., earlier echoed the same call.

The board expressed apprehension that with the PTCFOR suspension, “more loose firearms will proliferate in Pangasinan and embolden lawless elements to commit more crimes.”

It said the PNP’s move was “an insult to all legitimate and law-abiding citizens of Pangasinan, particularly those granted with PTCFOR ever since.”

Second district Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil said the PTCFOR suspension is good for media hype but is not a guarantee that high-profile crimes would be averted.