First murder suspect released
ZARAGOZA, Nueva Ecija -- The supposed self-confessed gunman in the
killing of Catholic priest Richmond Nilo in this town reportedly admitted doing
the slay. Omar Mallari, 25, was arrested in Barangay Arenas, Arayat, Pampanga
on June 29, a source said.
The source, who refused to be identified because he was
not authorized to make a public statement, said Mallari admitted using a Cal.45
pistol to shoot Nilo while preparing for Sunday night mass at a chapel in
Barangay Mayamot in Zaragoza town.
Mallari reportedly executed an extrajudicial confession
in the presence of his mother and a lawyer from the Public Attorney’s Office.
The source said Mallari told police that he received only
P6,000 of the P100,000 promised by the masterminds of the killing, which he
shared with four of his accomplices.
Mallari identified a certain Rollie Sigua and an alias
Bernie, reportedly duck raisers in Zaragoza, as the masterminds, and his
accomplices only as Michael, Tony and a resident of a resettlement site in
Mabalacat.
Sigua reportedly planned to kill Nilo at a chapel in
Barangay Valeriana, but asked Mallari to do the job when he found out that
the priest had left for Barangay Mayamot.
Mallari claimed the plan to kill Nilo was broached during
a drinking spree in Barangay Laquiaos in Arayat three weeks before the
incident.
Mallari said Sigua justified the killing of the priest,
claiming he was involved in illegal drugs and had a pending case for rape.
Last June 29 Cabanatuan City Regional Trial Court Branch
27 Judge Angelo Perez, citing mistaken identity, ordered the release of Adell
Roll Milan, who was arrested as Nilo was buried on June 15.
A case of mistaken
identity, a local court ruled as it ordered the release of a suspect in the
killing of Catholic priest Richmond Nilo here.
Milan was released at around 11 a.m. Tuesday upon order
of Perez, according to Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr., Philippine National
Police spokesman.
“Milan was released, but again we need to emphasize that
this case is not yet closed,” Durana told reporters.
Durana said there are “encouraging developments” related
to Nilo’s murder, but refused to elaborate.
“We cannot divulge the details because it may compromise
ongoing investigation,” he said.
Milan’s counsel Lorenzo Gadon said the prosecutor’s
office filed a motion to withdraw the case due to mistaken identity.
Chief Supt. Amador Corpus, Central Luzon police director,
said it is up to Milan whether to file charges against the police.
“It’s okay with us. It’s his right,” Corpus said.
Gadon had earlier threatened to file charges for illegal
detention against the police officers who arrested Milan.
Gadon said they would no longer file a case as they
believe it was a result of the “eagerness” of the police officers to solve the
case.
”The police did not do it in bad faith,” Gadon said.
Milan, allegedly a gun-for-hire, was arrested in Barangay
Malapit, San Isidro four days after Nilo was gunned down on June 10.
A manhunt for five other suspects is underway.
Probers said they are looking at a land dispute, Nilo’s
assistance to rape victims and the clergyman’s criticism of other religious
sects as possible motives for the killing.
Nilo was shot dead while preparing Sunday night mass at a
chapel in Barangay Mayamot. – With Romina Cabrera
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