THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has asked for a preventive suspension order against the provincial head of the Hiway Patrol Group (HPG) who faces an administrative charge before the Ombudsman Visayas for the Feb 18 murder of lawyer Noel Archival.
The NBI-7 also asked that Chief Insp. Eduardo Mara be charged with violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and R.A. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards.
To prevent Mara from possibly harassing witnesses and destroying evidence, NBI asked that he be preventively suspended during the legal process.
Two former security guards of the HPG-7 impounding area at Sudlon, Lahug issued sworn statements that they saw Mara using an impounded black Toyota Hilux (YGR-311) on February 17 at around 9 a.m., and 11 a. m. of February 18, the day lawyer Archival and his companions were ambushed in Dalaguete, Cebu. These were recorded in the guard’s logbook.
A certification issued by the Land Transportation Office 7 confirmed that the plate number was issued for a red Mitsubishi Strada owned by Frederick Ruela, the same vehicle impounded by HPG-7 on Feb. 10, 2011.
The affidavit said Mara and some HPG-7 members would switch or use plate numbers of different vehicles in their impounding area to conceal their activities. /With a report by CNU Intern Rosemarie Cananea