PNP chief Bato: We have airtight case vs. suspect in killing of Grab driver

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa assured the public Wednesday that they have an airtight case against Narc Tulod Delemios who has admitted killing Grab driver Gerardo Maquidato Jr.

“With the suspect now in police custody along with the overwhelming material and testimonial evidence at hand, we now have an airtight case against Delemios that we will present in court,” Dela Rosa said during a press conference where he presented the suspect.

“Rest assured the PNP will exert all effort to ensure the successful prosecution of this case to its logical conclusion,” he added.

Delemios was arrested after her mother-in-law called police to inform the former’s intention to surrender.

“Nagbigay siya ng surrender feelers through ‘yung kanyang mother-in-law from Tarlac,” Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Director Roel Obusan said.

Combined elements from the CIDG Zambales, CUDG NCR-South, Southern Police District, and Pasay City Police Station arrested Delemios in his residence in Kaymito Street, Barangay Sto. Niño, Pasay City  based on an arrest warrant issued against him in 2015.

The warrant was issued by the Paranaque regional trial court branch 257 for the murder of Gino Balbuena.

“Nagtago na siya from 2015 hanggang ngayon at nung nagawa niya ang krimen, tuloy tuloy ang pagtatago niya,” said Obusan.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Oscar Albayalde said Delemios was identified through the Facebook account of his girlfriend which he used to book the trip with Maquidato.

He believed Delemios decided to yield to authorities due to pressure exerted on him when he was identified by the police.

Pasay City Police chief Senior Superintendent Dionisio Bartolome said they have two witnesses against Delemios.

“May dalawang witnesses tayo doon sa pinagbarilan mismo at nakita rin ‘yung assailant na hinila yung driver pagkabaril.  Actually na tulala pa raw ito bago siya gumalaw, mga may minutes pa na nag-lull, parang  kinocontemplate niya bakit nabaril niya. After that nilaglag na niya sa kalye (‘yung biktima) saka inalis yung sasakyan,” he said.

He said Delemios admitted to police that the gun he used to kill Maquidato was thrown in a river in Tarlac.

“Itinuro ‘yung baril na inilaglag sa river somewhere in Tarlac. ‘Yun ang hinahanap ngayon,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News