By Dhel Nazario
One of the drug suspects who killed the deputy police chief of Cainta, Rizal has been arrested in Central Signal, Bicutan, Taguig City after a citizen phoned the police about a man causing trouble in their area.
Ruben Paglinawan Gomez (Manila Bulletin)
The suspect was identified by police as Ruben Paglinawan Gomez, alias "Ruben Tae," 41, resident of Riverside, Cainta, Rizal.
Initial investigation revealed that Gomez was arrested at around 5:20 a.m., Monday when a resident from the area of Central Signal, Bicutan called the Police Community Precinct 4 of Taguig about a frenzied man running amok in their area.
According to the police report, personnel from the PCP 4 responded and made their way to the place and saw Gomez who was caught carrying a 29-inch knife. They made the arrest and brought the suspect to their station. They later found out that the man they arrested was the suspect in the killing of Senior Insp. Jimmy Senosin.
Senosin was killed in an armed encounter with Gomez and another suspect identified as Hermogenes Lachica, alias "Ekis," who are members of the "Highway Boys," a notorious group of snatchers and holdup men who later turned to illegal drug trafficking.
Police said that Gomez admitted his participation in the shootout with police and that he fired shots at Senosin but has no idea if the fatal shots that killed the policeman were his. He said he was also hit during the gunfight by Senosin and his men.
Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa earlier ordered the immediate arrest of Gomez and Lachica.The city government of Cainta Rizal even offered a reward of P100,000 for anyone with information on the whereabouts of alias Ruben and alias Ekis.
Gomez is currently detained at the Taguig City Police Headquarters to undergo an inquest proceeding.