IPPO files murder case in barangay captain slay

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Iloilo Police Provincial Office filed criminal charges against the suspect in the killing of a barangay official in San Joaquin, Iloilo.

Lt. Col. Rolando Araño, IPPO spokesperson, said a murder case was filed against alias Toto, a resident of Barangay Ginot-an, San Joaquin, before the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday, March 5.

Araño said investigators have a witness who saw Toto near the house of slain Barangay Captain Richard Sapalo of Barangay Ginot-an shortly after a gunshot was heard at about 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 26.

The witness said the suspect was still holding a handgun as he hurriedly left the crime scene.

Araño said a personal grudge is being eyed as the possible motive for the crime.

Toto was allegedly accused of cattle rustling and is out on bail.

Police said Sapalo had allegedly issued a certificate of ownership for the stolen cattle, which forms part of the evidence against the suspect.

Investigators said this allegedly did not sit well with Toto, who supposedly harbored a grudge against the victim.

Sapalo was shot dead on Feb. 26, which was also his birthday.

Police said an unidentified gunman allegedly barged into their house, entered his room and shot him twice in the chest.

Investigators believe Sapalo had been dead for a few hours when his daughter found his body.

Ma. Asunzie told police investigators she heard a gunshot at about 2:30 a.m. Thursday but ignored it, thinking it was just a random sound.

Three hours later, she checked on her father, who was sleeping in the adjacent room, and found him lifeless.

Following the incident, the IPPO formed a special investigation team to investigate the village official’s killing.

The filing of the complaint marks the formal start of court proceedings as police pursue the case against the suspect.