Suspect in cop’s slay nabbed a decade later

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

It might have taken years, but police finally zeroed in on one of the two suspects who allegedly killed an anti-illegal drugs police operative.

Fulvio Libre alias Amay, 42, of Zone 3 Barangays Bakhaw, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, was arrested 5:15PM of February 26, 2021 at St. Ville, Poblacion Ilawod, Zarraga, Iloilo

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) intelligence section led by Major Rene Obregon collared the suspect by virtue of an arrest warrant in Criminal Case No. 11-5576 for the crime of murder.

Judge Danilo Galvez of the Regional Trial Court Branch 25, Iloilo City issued the arrest warrant on April 4, 2011.

Colonel Uldarico Garbanzos, Iloilo City police chief, said Libre is ICPO’s third most wanted person.

Libre and a certain Rene Esnaldo were accused of killing Police Officer 1 (Patrolman) Jomarie Lamis on November 2010 at Muelle Loney Street, City Proper, Iloilo City.

Esnaldo allegedly shot Lamis while Libre drove the black motorcycle used in the crime.

Earlier reports said the suspects are alleged members of the purported Prevendido illegal drug syndicate.

Police pointed to illegal drugs as the motive for the killing of Lamis since he handled more than 55 illegal drugs cases filed in court.

Lamis was also active in running after illegal gambling operators and their collectors before he was reassigned from Iloilo City to Guimaras.