4 Las Piñas village watchmen behind alleged 'salvage' face probe
Four barangay watchmen accused of alleged "salvaging" of a man in Las Piñas are facing investigation despite their temporary release from jail.
The Prosecutor’s Office ordered the temporary release of Jason Santos, Joseph Clarion, Romeo Natividad and barangay ex-officio Jaime Forteo, all watchmen of Barangay Manuyo, for lack of evidence.
According to P/Master Sgt. Marsito Torreon, Las Piñas police investigator, the arrested suspects were released by the Las Piñas Prosecutor's Office pending further investigation.
Torreon said the Prosecutor's Office had set the preliminary investigation on the alleged salvaging of Gerico Rocabo, 24, on January 8.
Torreon said they were able to submit the CCTV footage showing the arrest and mauling of Rocabo by the suspects last Dec. 26.
The police investigator said Barangay Manuyo officials refused to provide the police a copy of the CCTV footage on the incident claiming the camera was not working during the arrest despite the coordination made by city police chief, Col. Jaime Santos, with Barangay chairman Boboy dela Cuz.
Torreon said Santos coordinated with Dela Cruz for the surrender of the remaining suspects and submit a copy of the CCTV footage for investigation.
He said they were able to get a copy of the CCTV footage on the incident after learning that Generika drug store in front of Barangay Mauyo Hall was able to capture the incident.
Torreon said there are still nine suspects that remain at large and two of them were identified as Barangay Kagawad Ongie dela Cruz and Eleno Rongavilla Jr.
Torreon said the arrest of the four suspects was made by his team composed of Master Sgt. Glen Acaba, Staff Sgt. Lary Reparejo, and Cpl. Mark Edwin Orongan.
He said the body of Rocabo was discovered at around 10:00 a..m. on Dec. 26 in a creek in Barangay Manuyo and was reported to the police at around 11:00 a.m.
The police investigator said the victim died due to strangulation and his body was badly beaten.
Torreon said the family of the victim admitted that Rocabo has a pending case in Parañaque City for illegal possession of a bladed weapon and had been involved in several petty crimes like cellphone stanching.