Police form team to run after Britanico’s killers

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The PNP has formed a dedicated team that will run after the killers of businessman Delfin Britanico.

The team was created after Delfin’s father, former party-list representative Salvador “Buddy” Britanico, solicited the help of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, on Monday confirmed that they considered Britanico’s killing a significant case, thus, the creation of the special investigation task group (SITG).

Police Colonel Martin Defensor Sr., Iloilo City police chief, is the SITG commander.

Pamuspusan said Defensor will work with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the PNP Regional Crime Laboratory Office (RCLO)-6. They will also tap the National Bureau of Investigation in the probe.

“The SITG is expected to do a thorough investigation and review the case on a weekly basis,” Pamuspusan said.

Britanico was laid to rest Saturday at the Iloilo Memorial Park in Barangay Tagbak, Jaro, Iloilo City

Family and friends posted tarpaulins with the words “Justice for Del” on their vehicles.

Ex-Cong. Britanico appealed for one thing: for a witness to testify against his son’s assailants.

The NBI conducted a re-enactment of Britanico’s shooting at Brgy. Nabitasan, LaPaz.

Earlier, Britanico’s family solicited the public’s help in seeking justice for his death.

In a statement entitled “Britanico and Lao Families Statement on the Murder of Delfin Britanico”, the family appealed to those “who have knowledge or information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators to share these with the law enforcement agencies and to mobile number Globe 09369181307.”

“We the members of the Britanico and Lao families condemn the broad daylight shooting and murder of our dearest husband, father, son, brother and family member Delfin Celestial Britanico in Barangay Nabitasan, LaPaz, Iloilo City last Sunday, 19 January 2020.”

Britanico, whom they fondly called as Del, was killed at age 36.

The two families also said they trust that the law enforcement, agencies supported by the local and national government, will catch those responsible for this gruesome act and swiftly bring them to justice.

The only breakthrough in the case so far is the discovery that the same guns may have been used in the killings of Britanico and Alain Muller, who was also murdered half an hour before the former was riddled with bullets.

Police Chief Master Sergeant Jerwin Servano, La Paz police investigator, said that they are still gathering footage from different closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in areas where the victim and the suspects passed by.

Before the incident happened, Britanico went to church and test drove his motorcycle.

While witnesses claimed to have heard gunfire in the area, no one came out to testify to the actual shooting episode.

Police have claimed that Britanico’s shooting might be due to traffic altercation or road rage. Another angle was that Britanico may have unintentionally witnessed Muller’s murder.

The incident is also being tagged related in Britanico’s businesses.