Testimonies help probers identify killers: Witnesses in slay of MP mayor surface

By Dexter A. See

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Investigators questioned at least eight witnesses whose testimonies could lead to identification of killers and mastermind in the murder of Paracelis town Mayor Ceasar Rafael on Christmas Day.

Senior Supt. Joseph Adnol, provincial police director, said witnesses assured their cooperation with investigators.

He said the probe is focused on identification of the suspects and the mastermind including motive in the assassination of Rafael.

“There are more witnesses who signified their interest in helping the police investigators solve the first sensational crime in this town,” he said.

Adnol added police investigators were looking into other angles such as revenge, personal grudge, and politics.

Results of the tests conducted by the Philippine National Police crime laboratory on bullet shells found at the crime scene showed there were two M-16 Armalite rifles used by the killers in the ambush-slay.

Traces of powder burns in the body of the mayor indicated that he was shot at close range.

Investigators said the killers wanted to make sure he was dead and that extreme hatred could have prompted the killing.

Adnol said results of the laboratory shells showed there were two men who peppered the mayor with bullets. Their companions might have served as lookouts.

Rafael, 61, mayor of Paracelis for two decades, was ambushed by unidentified men at Sitio Sinigpit, Botique, Paracelis at about 2:45 p.m. last Dec. 25 while he was driving his blue Toyota Hi-Lux pickup vehicle with license plate No. AHH-836 on his way back to the Poblacion from his farm.

Natonin town Mayor Ana Marie Banaag, one of Rafael’s daughters, lauded the latest development in the investigation of the case even as she reiterated her family’s appeal to their supporters and sympathizers to be calm and leave the task of solving the crime to the police.

It was learned that Task Force Paracelis, which was created to handle the immediate resolution of the case, deployed additional policemen in Paracelis to prevent an outbreak of violence in the town that might arise as an offshoot of the Rafael murder.

National and local officials in the different parts of the country had condemned the murder of the mayor saying the crime was a cowardly, evil and barbaric act.