Pangasinan board member tagged as mastermind in ambush of ex-Gov Espino

A suspect in the ambush of former Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino that resulted in the death of his bodyguard has tagged a Provincial Board Member as mastermind in the crime.

PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas said Benjie Resultan, in an extra-judicial confession before police investigators on February 11, 2021, identified Pangasinan Provincial Board Member Raul Sison as mastermind.

Sison has reportedly died recently due to COVID-19.

The PNP chief said Resultan has confessed his participation in the actual ambush as spotter and lookout.

Resultan also identified Armando Frias as the leader during the planning and execution of the ambush.

Resultan named other persons present during the planning and execution of the ambush which the group staged on September 11, 2019 on the intersection of Barangay Magtaking corner Barangay Ilang, San Carlos City, Pangasinan.

“With these recent developments in this high-profile case, we are exerting all efforts to account for all the accused.” Sinas said.

Espino and four security escorts were hurt in the ambush, while another security escort, Police Staff Sgt. Richard Esguerra died in the attack.

On January 3, 2020, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group filed criminal charges for murder and frustrated murder against Resultan, Albert Palisoc, Armando Frias, Joey Ferrer, Ronnie De Los Santos, Gerry Pascua, Sherwin Diaz, Teofilo Ferrer, Jewel Castro, John Paul Regalado, Alfred Pascaran, and a certain Ruseller a.k.a. Sel.

On March 1, 2020, the Regional Trial Court Branch 56 of San Carlos City issued a warrant of arrest against the accused.

In a follow-up operation last February 7, 2021, CIDG and CALABARZON police operatives arrested Palisoc, Resultan; and Frias Jr. in San Juan, Batangas. -MDM, GMA News