3rd man arrested in alleged plot to kill Asturias vice mayor

A covered Archie Alvarado of barangay Looc Norte, Asturias town answers questions from reporters at the Cebu Provincial Intelligence Branch Office.
(CDN PHOTO/ MICHELLE JOY L/ PADAYHAG)

A third suspect in an alleged plot to kill Asturias Municipal Vice Mayor Joel Dumdum voiced willingness to testify against his cohorts following his arrest by the  Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) last Friday night.

“Alvarado is the local contact in Asturias of the first two suspects  who were  arrested. He participated in the planning stage and he is also willing to cooperate with us,”  said Supt. Rodolfo Albotra, PIB chief.

Criminal charges are being readied against the suspects.

Albotra said police  recovered a .45 caliber pistol and some illegal drugs in Archie Alvarado’s possession.

They also recovered cellphone  text messages from the first suspects that showed they hung out at Alvarado’s place.

POLITICS OR BUSINESS

“He (Alvarado) mentioned some names involved in the plan to  assassinate  Vice Mayor Dumdum,” Albotra said.

Avarado, who covered his face during a media interview,  said he just knew the two suspects recently.

He wouldn’t comment on the police report of an  assassination plot.

Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, Cebu provincial police chief, said they are looking into politics and business conflicts as possible motives.

Gillamac said the group behind the plot was  likely composed of  loan sharks.

Vice Mayor Dumdum, who talked with Alvarado at the Cebu Provincial Police Office  said he believes  that politics was behind the plot.

“He (Alvarado) identified who were with him, the hit man, and how much money  they received as an offer,” the vice mayor said.

UNDER CUSTODY

While he was elected under the One Cebu party in the May 2013 polls, Dumdum  transferred to the Liberal Party (LP) after talking with Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas.

“I have no regrets that I transferred to LP. I also received strong support from them with what I have been going through,” Dumdum said.

The police first identified Jonathan Rubi of Davao del Norte and Edgar Escalante of Danao City as  suspects  in a follow-up operation last Thursday evening.

Escalante was shot in the abdomen by pursuing police and was declared dead on arrival at Balamban Provincial Hospital.

Rubi sustained wounds on his right leg.

Alvarado was located after he was identified by Rubi.

Gillamac said that while Alvarado is willing to execute an extrajudicial confession, charges may still be filed against him in court.

“As of now, Alvarado will be under our custody to ensure his safety while the case is ongoing,” he said.