Police have arrested one of the suspects in the killing of a newly-elected barangay councilwoman in Pasay City last Monday.
Police identified the suspect as Vladimir del Valle Catubay, one of the riding-in-tandem who gunned down Kagawad Lina Censon Camacho inside the headquarters of Barangay 37 along San Juan Street,
“Through maximized patrolling operations, the Pasay City Police Station nabbed one of the suspects while patrolling 300 meters away from the crime scene,” said Metro Manila police chief Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
CCTV footage from Barangay Hall showed the suspects arrived on a motorcycle. One of the riders, armed with a gun, alighted and fired two shots hitting the victim’s neck.
The National Capital Region Police Office is now reviewing the CCTV footage in the neighboring barangays to identify the other suspect in the incident.
The authorities are not ruling out personal grudges as one of the motives behind the killing. They added the victim was engaged in a lending business.
The apprehended suspect is now detained at the Pasay City Police Station Custodial Facility and will undergo inquest proceedings at the city’s prosecutor’s office.
“We will intensify the conduct of the manhunt operation to arrest the other suspect. We assure the public and the family of the victim that justice will be served,” said Nartatez.
The Philippine National Police earlier declared that the holding of the village and youth council elections on Oct. 30 was generally peaceful.
Poll officials also said this year’s election-related violence remains the lowest in the barangay elections’ history.