Another assassination plot suspect arrested

CEBU, Philippines - Another suspect in the supposed assassination plot of a government official in Asturias town was arrested by the Provincial Intelligence Branch in a follow up operation.

The arrest of Archie Alvarado came after the arrest of the other suspects - Edgar Escalante and Jonathan Rubi in Barangay Looc Norte last Friday afternoon.

Alvarado was on the act of sniffing shabu when arrested by the operatives at his house in the said barangay.

Supt. Rodolfo Albotra, PIB chief, said Alvarado was the group's local contact in the area and was also a gun-for-hire.

"He knows everything...the plan and the target kay didto man sa ilang balay nag-standby ang plano," Albotra told The Freeman in a phone interview.

Confiscated from Alvarado was a .45 pistol with magazine loaded with seven bullets, three spare magazines a butt stock of AR 15 rifle, several empty shells placed in a transparent plastic container, two bullet boxes, drug paraphernalia with residue of what believed to be shabu.

PIB took Alvarado to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory-7 for a drug test.

 Albotra said it was Rubi who disclosed Alvarado's name during interrogation.

"Human nato makuha ang ngalan dritso dayun ta ug dispatch ug tropa ngadto," he said in an interview.

Albotra is confident that the arrest of Alvarado could be a big help in the operation as he could lead them to the arrest of the mastermind of the assassination plot.

"He gives us good information which we are now validating now because we cannot just arrest those he named...we have to confirm it first," he said, adding they are now validating two names.

Alvarado is now detained at the Consolacion police stockade pending filing of appropriate charges.

Escalante was killed for resisting arrest in Barangay Bitoon, Asturias while Rubi, who was arrested in Barangay Nangka, Balamban, was injured in the right leg and now recuperating in the hospital.

Both were supposed to assassinate their target Thursday but were arrested by virtue of a warrant for murder.

Confiscated from them was a .45 KG45 pistol with 18 bullets, 9mm KG9 pistol with 23 bullets, two magazines with 17 and 12 bullets each, two pieces .45 pistol with seven and five bullets each and two cellular phones.

PIB is still waiting for the government official to appear and file charges against the suspects arrested. (FREEMAN)