BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO – The firearm used in the recent shooting of Barangay San Rafael, Tigbauan kagawad (councilman) Joevanie Triste was registered under Cong. Lex Colada of the AAMBIS-OWWA party-list, according to Police Colonel Bayani Razalan, director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).
However, how the gun ended up in the possession of shooting suspect JR Castro remains unclear, said Razalan.
During a press conference yesterday afternoon, Razalan said probers used the firearm’s serial number to track down its ownership.
The gun was a Rock Island caliber .45 pistol.
Razalan said police investigators are currently looking into how Castro gained possession of the firearm.
Castro admitted to shooting Barangay San Rafael kawagad Joevanie Triste on October 24 but he invoked self-defense.
How did the police recover the gun?
Razalan said, “A concerned citizen reported the location of the firearm. For their safety, we are keeping their identity confidential.”
The IPPO chief said they have reached out to Colada for clarification.
“Our investigation is ongoing to determine how the suspect obtained the firearm, as Atty. Colada did not disclose any loss or transfer of the weapon when notified by the Tigbauan Municipal Police,” Razalan said.
Colada could not be reached for comment as of this writing.
According to the IPPO director, a concerned citizen reported to the Tigbauan municipal police station that Castro left the gun with a friend after the October 24 shooting of Triste.
Police Captain Alfred Mansoy, police chief of Tigbauan, confirmed that the firearm was subsequently submitted to the Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU) of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) for verification.
“The RCSU confirmed that the firearm is registered under a congressman’s name. We have taken steps to conduct a thorough investigation,” Mansoy said.
The firearm underwent ballistic examination by the Regional Forensic Unit 6, confirming it as the weapon used in the shooting of Triste. The investigation now focuses on the circumstances surrounding its possession by suspect Castro.
“The firearm matched the evidence collected from the crime scene. Our team has already approached the registered owner for an explanation,” Razalan added.
Asked about potential legal liabilities for Cong. Colada, Razalan emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing.
But he emphasized: “We are committed to filing an airtight case based on our findings.”
Meanwhile, to ensure the safety of witnesses, the family of the victim and key informants have been placed under the Witness Protection Program of the Department of Justice.
The shooting of Triste has sparked calls for justice, with the victim’s family appealing for a swift resolution.
Triste was laid to rest on November 8./PN
