By Liezle Inigo
TUGUEGARAO City -- A municipal councilor of Amulung, Cagayan and three others were arrested in connection with the killing of four car dealers whose bodies were found inside a parked car in Villarey, Piat, Cagayan last Wednesday.
Cagayan Police Provincial director Col. Ariel Narag Quilang identified two of the suspects as Joey Bargado, a Sangguniang Bayan member from Pacac Grande, Amulung; and Jojo Vergara, a construction worker from Annafunan East, Tuguegarao City.
Quilang said the suspects were arrested around 11 p.m. on May 20 in a warehouse in Pacac Grande, Amulung.
They were tagged in the death of car dealers identified as Michael Eugine Romero, a resident of Bago Bantay, Quezon City; Christian Kaibigan of Lipa City, Batangas; Joel Bolado of Tanguay Loob, Lipa City, Batangas; and Rommuel Quinan, a resident of East Rembo, Makati City and Fairview Quezon City.
Police said the bodies of the four victims were discovered inside a Honda City car at about 4:45 a.m. on May 20.
Probers said Mary Immaculate Viaje, the wife of Kaibigan, claimed that she had conversations with her husband through messenger while the victims were traveling in Cabatuan, Isabela at around 2:19 p.m. on May 19.
The victim arrived at Tuguegarao City at about 6:30 p.m., police learned.
On the same day, at about 7:54 p.m., the victims had a drinking spree based on the pictures sent by Kaibigan to his wife.
He even texted his wife: “Bukas n kami maaga” to which she replied: “Ingat sa pag uwi”.
Police were also able to contact the wife of Quinan, Nerissa Velarde, through her messenger. She said her husband was an on-call driver.
The crime scene was located by the police through the pictures sent by the wife of Kaibigan, Quilang said.
Upon inspection of the warehouse, police saw a couple, who served as caretakers, already cleaning the crime scene.
The four suspects were brought to Amulung Police Station for documentation and proper disposition.
Quilang told reporters that SB Bargado denied his involvement in the crime.
“Nakikipag-usap naman nang maayos at very cooperative naman si SB, Quilang said.