PNP says P300,000 reward money offered for capture of Resuello killer in Pangasinan

By Ronron
May 1, 2007

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said a reward money of P300,000 for the capture of the suspected killer of San Carlos City Mayor Julian Resuello and his civilian aide in Pangasinan last Saturday night has been put up by concerned citizens.

Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, Region 1 Police Director, issued the announcement after he released the artist’s sketch of one of the two gunmen, who, he said, was identified by an eyewitness as a certain alias “Kabesa.”

In a text message, Bataoil said the eyewitness described “Kabesa” as around 40 years old, 5’3” in height, medium built, wearing a ballcap, and armed with caliber 45 pistol at the time of the shooting.

“A reward of P300,000 had been offered by concerned citizens for the capture of this suspect,” Bataoil said.

The two gunmen escaped during the commotion after successfully hitting the 54-year-old Mayor and his aides and some spectators while they were inside the San Carlos City open auditorium late Saturday night in celebration of the city fiesta.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Dir. Gen. Oscar Calderon had earlier said last Monday that the two gunmen are believed to be hired killers.

Resuello died on Monday morning due to the gunshot wounds he sustained, while his aide, identified as Eulogio Martinez, 41, died on the spot.

Bataoil said seven other persons were wounded in the attack, identified as: 1) SPO1 Jaime Almoite of the San Carlos City Police Station; 2) Jonathan dela Cruz, 34, Resuello’s civilian aide; 3) Alwin Fermin, 29, spectator; 4) Paulo Biso, 14, spectator; 5) Reyna Munoz, 9, spectator; 6) Angelito Soriano, 38, spectator; and, 7) Domingo Mamaril, 52, spectator.

The incident prompted the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place the city under its control for the upcoming May 14 polls.

Resuello is running for Vice-Mayor in said city, while his son, Julier, will attempt to replace him in the Mayoralty post. Both belong to the Lakas party.

Former Mayor Douglas Soriano will challenge the younger Resuello in the mayoralty position.

Calderon had earlier tagged the Soriano’s as possible suspects to the incident, saying they are the only identified political nemesis of the Resuello’s in the city. But the Soriano’s, said Calderon, had already denied any involvement to the shooting incident./END