BANGUED, Abra – A barangay chairman was tagged as the mastermind in the killing of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) teacher Rudy Steward Dugmam Sayen, known as “Estee Saway,” 38, here on Sept. 28.
Barangay Captain Armando Wilson of Barangay Dumagas, Boliney, Abra was identified by one of the suspects arrested a few hours after killing the victim as the mastermind in a video interview posted by Abra TV news.
Col. Maly Cula, Abra police provincial director, said five persons were charged with murder in connection with the killing, including Wilson.
Four suspects, Romel “Ambong” Paa, gunman; Sonny Boy Gandeza Tullas, Paa’s driver; Aldrin Alagao, lookout; and Abelardo "Abe" Talape, middle man, were immediately caught with the help of closed circuit television camera in the area after the incident.
They admitted to police that they were paid P100,000 to kill Sayen and that a land dispute was the motive for the murder.
Cula said Sayen's family owns land in Boliney which is being mined by Wilson. The victim reportedly got angry when they stopped their operation.
The Abra police chief said Paa had a case which they are now investigating while Alagao is new to the group.
Their contractor was Tallape, who had direct contact with Wilson, and Tullas, although he knew what was going to happen, only served as the gunman's driver.
Cula said that the case is considered closed because the suspects have been identified and charged.
He said they are just waiting for the arrest warrant to be issued for Wilson’s arrest.