Quezon City Police District director P/Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre on Tuesday revealed that police have arrested the alleged mastermind in the shooting of an Ombudsman employee last week following the confession of arrested alleged gunman on Monday night.
The OMB employee — identified as Dianne Jane Paguirigan, Admin Aide VI of Office of the Ombudsman — was shot in front of the RCBC Bank along Quezon Avenue corner Cordillera Street in Barangay Doña Josefa.
Continuous manhunt operation by the QCPD operatives led to the arrest of the gunman on 6 February 2023 who was identified as Marlon Neri.
The suspect — after interrogation — disclosed that the mastermind in the shooting was identified as Dexter Cruz, also an employee of the Office of Ombudsman.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit head Major Don Don Llapitan said that after the confession, joint operatives of CIDU, District Special Operation Unit of the QCPD led by P/Lt. Col. Rolando Lorenzo Jr. and Galas Police Station under Lt.Col. Richard Ian Ang, conducted a follow-up operation which led to the arrest of the mastermind.
Initial investigations disclosed that Cruz has first contracted a certain “Mako,” whom the handgun to be used was given to execute the killing of the victim, but he refused and returned the money as consideration.
It was also revealed that Cruz and the gunman were friends since May 2013 and on 1 November 2022 after “Mako” refused the offer, they met at the Manila North Cemetery and conspired with each other for the killing of the victim.
In December 2022, the two met again for the payment of P30,000 for the final plan and execution of the killing where a picture of the victim was given to the gunman and agreed to do it on 1 February 2023.
Recovered from the suspect’s possession were a 12gauge shotgun with serial number UZ16-12066; one Colt M4 Commando with serial number CL2141418; one Bersa thunder 9mm with serial number 807420; one Taurus PT 739 with serial number 88444B; four pieces magazines for Cal. 5.56; two magazines for Cal. 9 mm; one magazine for Cal. 380; one rifle bag; two inside holster; 134 live ammunitions for cal. 5.56; 20 live ammunition for caliber 9mm; five live ammunition for caliber 380; and a belt bag with a hand grenade.
The suspect is now facing charges of Frustrated Murder, and Violation of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Law and RA 9516 or the Illegal Possession of Explosives before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.