Love triangle? Cops probe another angle in electric coop exec’s slayop exec’s slay

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is probing another angle in the death of a lawyer and general manager of Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco) in Negros Occidental last Wednesday.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Sherlock Gabana, BCPO’s public information officer, said they are considering an angle that is “something personal,” which is one of the possible motives for the killing of Atty. Danny Pondevilla, 47, of Barangay Mansilingan here.

But Gabana could not confirm yet the persons involved and refused to elaborate while the investigation is ongoing.

Pondevilla was found lifeless due to a lone gunshot wound in the nape. He was tied to the seatbelt of the driver’s seat of his car parked on 16th Lacson Street, Barangay 7 here.

He came from a Christmas party in a hotel here before he was found dead.

Pondevilla was allegedly shot by two unidentified persons on a motorcycle based on the allegation of his executive secretary, who was with him when the shooting happened.

But the vehicle had no damage nor bullet holes, according to the police.

Police earlier considered the victim’s secretary as one of the persons of interest, considering the inconsistency in her statements, Gabana said.

A man, whom the secretary called for help after the incident and later picked her up, was also considered a person of interest. Both of them were subjected to paraffin tests to detect gunpowder residue on their hands.

Gabana said they are still waiting for the results of the paraffin test. But he clarified that these two persons of interest were not held in custody, as they are not considered suspects in the killing.

Aside from the said angles, police are also looking into Pondevilla’s work as a possible motive in the incident.

Gabana said the BCPO did not create a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) because police now have a lead on the case.

He said that Police Colonel Thomas Joseph Martir, BCPO director, has ordered the police investigators to focus on the incident.