Gunman in killing of Sawang Calero councilor nabbed

Local

THE alleged gunman in the killing of a councilor in Barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City was arrested in a buy-bust operation on Tuesday morning, March 3.

The suspect was identified as Gelven Mansanero, a 26-year-old resident of Barangay Sambag 2, Cebu City.

Police said 60 grams of suspected shabu worth P408,408 and a .45 caliber pistol were recovered from the suspect’s possession.

Col. George Ylanan, chief of Cebu City Police Office, said there were four suspects in the killing of Ramon Diamente, who was gunned down last Jan. 3.

Two of the suspects, JR Nabua and Antonio Pilapil, were arrested last Jan. 10.

Following the arrest of Nabua and Pilapil, investigators were able to identify Mansanero as the gunman.

Police said that Mansanero admitted that he was hired to kill the village official for being a police asset.

The person who hired Manzanero is currently jailed and blamed the village official for his arrest, police said.

Ylanan confirmed that Diamante was active in the campaign against illegal drugs and contributed to the arrest of several drug suspects in Sawang Calero.

In admitting the crime, Mansanero said he was paid P60,000 to kill Diamante.

The payment was made through e-wallet.

Mansanero said when he learned that the victim was a barangay officials, he asked for an additional P30,000 that he used to hide from authorities.(CDB)