Ex-soldier slay suspect killed in road accident

CEBU, Philippines -  Forty-four-year-old Crispen Hipolito, a suspect in the killing of a former member of the Philippine Marines, was killed when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a truck Thursday afternoon in Pototan, Iloilo.

Hipolito came from Iloilo City and was on his way home when the accident happened. He was navigating along Barangay Amamaros when his motorcycle swerved to the opposite lane and collided with the Isuzu truck, driven by Roland Lachero, 51, of Dueñas, Iloilo.

Lachero, after the incident, voluntarily surrendered to the Zarraga Police Station, which in turn turned him over to the Pototan Police's custody.

Hipolito's name hugged the limelight in the past after he was accused of killing his friend, 58-year-old Jose Seguerra, a former soldier, on July 22, 2014 in Pototan.

Seguerra was one of the accused in the murder of former Antique governor Evelio Javier on February 11, 1986 but was eventually exonerated.

Hipolito, who was allegedly a bodyguard of a mayor in Antique province, was said to be a nephew of Antique Provincial Board Member Arturo Pacificador, but the arrest warrant has not been issued against him yet for allegedly killing Seguerra.

More than a week ago, Hipolito was again implicated in a gun law breach when he allegedly created commotion after pointing his gun at customers of a cafe in Mandurriao district of Iloilo City.

A case for violation of Section 31 of Republic Act 10591 was later filed against Hipolito. He presented a license for his gun but failed to provide a permit to carry firearm outside of residence.  (FREEMAN)