Cops strengthening kidnap-slay case

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is intensifying efforts to arrest the remaining suspect and strengthen the case against those involved in the abduction and killing of a 57-year-old man found dead in Cebu City.

Three of the four suspects identified by police have been arrested, while authorities continue to search for the remaining suspect.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, deputy city director for operations of the CCPO, said investigators are conducting follow-up operations and gathering additional evidence to build a stronger case against those responsible for the crime.  The victim was identified as Leo Leaño, 57, a resident of Barangay Nangka, Consolacion town. He was reportedly abducted last September 3 while he was on his way to watch a cockfight.

His body was later found in Sitio Morga, Barangay Sudlon 1, Cebu City, with gunshot wounds to the head and body.

Investigators used CCTV footage to trace the movements connected to the abduction, including a rented Mitsubishi Mirage G4 reportedly used in transporting Leaño.

Police also tracked the vehicle through GPS data. Its recorded route showed that it traveled from Consolacion through the South Road Properties, Tabunok and Manipis in Talisay City, before proceeding to Campo 7 and Sinsin in Minglanilla and eventually reaching Sudlon 1 in Cebu City.

Bloodstains were also found inside the recovered vehicle, according to police.

The first two suspects arrested were identified by the aliases “Ritchie”, 30, and “Ace”, 49. Ritchie was identified as an e-bike driver, while Ace was described as a former seaman who reportedly drove the rented vehicle.

Last Sunday evening, police also arrested John Elvis Catantan Gutobat, 31, an e-bike driver and resident of Barangay Pahina Central, Cebu City.

Police identified Gutobat as the alleged gunman. In his account to investigators, he admitted shooting Leaño twice and said he was instructed by a person he identified as “Shaun.” He also said he was paid ?10,000 after the killing.

Gutobat also told investigators that they had monitored Leaño for two days before the shooting. He said that after the incident, they returned to Barangay Pahina Central using the rented vehicle, where he received his payment.

After learning that his two companions had been arrested, Gutobat said he took a bus to Daanbantayan. He later returned to Cebu City after seeing media reports about the arrests and the statements of his companions, but police intercepted him before he could surrender.

Meanwhile, “Shaun”, the person who allegedly ordered the shooting, remains at large.

Gutobat also told investigators that the person behind the order had a contact inside the Cebu City Jail and a person outside who allegedly provided information on Leaño’s whereabouts. Police are still verifying this information.

Authorities are also looking into possible revenge and a land dispute as among the possible motives behind the killing.

Police are preparing to file a kidnapping with murder case against the three arrested suspects, while efforts continue to locate the remaining suspect. — (FREEMAN)