Criminal Investigation
The release came after former police general Pedro Bulaong, deputy director of the National Bureau of Investigation, came to the wake of attorney Ernesto Salunat, former governor of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-North Luzon and a respected human rights lawyer.
He was gunned down in front of a courthouse in Solano town on June 22,
Authorities said a witness to the killing who is now under police protection had supplied information that helped the artist produce a computer-generated image supposedly resembling the suspected killer’s facial features. An artist’s sketch of the suspect in the killing of human rights lawyer Ernesto Salunat. Floro Taguinod
Superintendent Joselito Buenaobra, outgoing police chief of Solano told GMANews.TV they were lucky because the artist who was invited by investigators to help shed light in last week’s slaying of Police Chief Inspector Hector Balinuyus in Cagayan, happened to be in the region.
Organization for the Phyto- Taxonomic Investigation of the M
“The artist’s superior happened to be my classmate that’s why I took the opportunity to make a request that a sketch be immediately administered also on account of our witness," he said.
Senior Superintendent Pedro Danguilan, provincial police director said the release of the artist’s sketch is a major development in the case, adding that investigators will now have, at least, an idea of what the suspect looks like.
In a press conference held at the Police Provincial Police Office, Danguilan presented the artist’s sketch, saying the suspect is about five feet, seven inches to seven feet tall; medium built and dark skinned.
“We have decided to release this (sketch) due to new leads that we have received. We appreciate your desire to help in the speedy resolution of the case," Danguilan told reporters at the press conference.
During the meeting, he said they have not restricted the investigation to other possible angles but are “inclined to believe that the motive could be work related or a personal grudge."
He added that the mastermind could even be close to the victim.
Members of the Nueva Vizcaya Press Club (NVPC) on Wednesday sought the release of the sketch, but police refused saying an early release publication of the image might jeopardize ongoing investigation. Chief Superintendent Benedict Fokno, Cagayan Valley police director told GMANews.TV on Thursday they were not in a hurry to publish the image because investigators need to make headway in their investigations first.
“We cannot jeopardize any efforts to unmask the killers since they might go deeper into hiding," Fokno said.
NVPC and the local chapter of National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), have condemned Salunat’s murder, saying it was a dastardly act that reeks of barbarism.
Victor Martin, NVPC president said: “We really want to help in the investigation because this is the best way we can express our indebtedness to Atty. Salunat who was one of the club’s pillars. He was a father to all us and has been our legal adviser for more than a decade now."
Martin hoped that if the sketch will be published soon, then it will be a big help in the early resolution of the case.
“The police know better, it’s their field of expertise, but we will remain vigilant on the progress of the case," he said. — LBG
