CRIME OF PASSION: Cops tag live-in-partner in Montalvo slay case

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – Personnel of Police Station 8 here tagged the live-in-partner of 23-year-old Angelica Montalvo of Barangay Banago, as one of the suspects in her death last week.

According to Major Joery Puerto, Police Station 8 commander, Mark Carlson Espolon, 40, of Barangay Taculing here is now part of their investigation on the purported crime of passion.

Puerto said Espolon may have hired gunmen to kill Montalvo after the latter wanted to break up with him last year when she learned that he was already married.

Puerto said Espolon was also the one responsible for the accident involving Montalvo last year after they figured in an argument.

“Nag away sila kay nabal-an na nga may asawa kag anak na ang laki, gusto na makigbulag ka babaye tani pero natabo ang aksidente kag ang laki man mismo nagapabulong sa babaye,” he added.

Montalvo was shot by an unidentified man while inside Espolon’s driven vehicle at Barangay Tangub on February 3.

They were allegedly robbed by the same perpetrator in front of a medical clinic and laboratory along B.S. Aquino drive, before Espolon was told to drive the vehicle to Tangub village, where the murder happened.

Puerto said it was unusual for Espolon to bring Montalvo to the clinic early in the morning as her schedule would usually be at 8 a.m.

“Siya (Espolon) driver ara sa iya ang control sa car lock pero nakasulod gulpi ang suspect while they’re about to park pa lang,” he added.

Puerto said the incident was well planned, as two motorcycles were seen near the clinic, based on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footages.

“Target gid nga patyon ang babaye, kay kung kawat lang, dapat after pag declare hold-up, nalagyo na ang suspect pero gin pa drive pa si Espolon pakadto Tangub,” he added.

Police recovered from the scene two slugs of .22 caliber ammunition.

Puerto said they could not reach Espolon since Tuesday, while the two other perpetrators remain unidentified.

Puerto said they are waiting for the decision of the victim’s family on the filing of the case.