PNP 8 chief creates Task Force Navidad to investigate killing of a judge in Calbayog City

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 17, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Philippine National Police Regional Office 8 Director Abner Cabalquinto promptly created Task Force Navidad to conduct a manhunt operation to chase after the possible suspect or suspects and to establish the motive of the January 24 killing of Judge Roberto Navidad in Calbayog City.

Task Force Navidad is headed by Police Senior Supt. Arcadio Borres Lelis, Deputy Regional Director for Operations and OIC Provincial Director of Samar Provincial Police Office, PSSupt. Cesario Abrera Darantinao Jr., chief Regional Police Community Relations Division disclosed.

Director Cabalquinto assured that the Philippine National Police in the Region will thoroughly investigate the case towards its resolution because the PNP will not allow the perpetrators to sow chaos and fear in this relatively peaceful Region.

In an interview with Calbayog City Chief of Police Isaias B. Tonog, he informed PIA that he has already submitted an initial report to the PNP Regional Office and that he already know that Task Force Navidad has been formed.

He added that a member of the Task Force Criminal Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) Senior Supt. Velasco has already visited his office in order to inquire about the crime.

Police Chief Tonog reported that at around 7:10 in the evening, at the corner of Gomez St. and Rosales Blvd., infront of Nijaga Park at Barangay Central Calbayog City, Honorable Navidad, 69 years old, separated, Presiding Judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 32, Hall of Justice Calbayog City, was shot to death by unidentified suspect using caliber .45 pistol hitting once on the lower left eye and causing his instantaneous death.

The result of the investigation conducted by the responding members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Patrol, LDM, showed that the Judge Navidad who is a native of MacArthur, Eastern Samar, went down from his rented place at Cinemar Bldg., at JD Avelino St., Calbayog City, and boarded his Nissan Patrol vehicle with Plate Number TPL 911 and parked at the corner of the streets earlier mentioned and walked down to Mercury Drug Store located some 40 meters away.

Judge Navidad went to Mercury Drug to buy medicines, the first receipt showed he bought antacid and another receipt accomplished at 7:05 showed that he bought some vitamins, Chief Tonog intimated.

He then went back to his vehicle and when he was about to start the engine, an unidentified person clad in black jacket, wearing a ball cap, described to be 5 feet 4 inches in height and with medium body built, approached and shot the victim. The shooting was really close ranged, there were powder burns on the face of the victim, Police Chief Tonog said.