Another suspect in the killing of PO3 Danilo Malones gave himself up to the Cauayan Police Station on Wednesday, after murder with theft charges were filed against him and his two brothers before the Negros Occidental Provincial Prosecutor's Office.

This developed as the Roger Mahinay Command of the New People's Army yesterday claimed responsibility for the assassination of Malones, whom they linked to illegal activities in Cauayan.

Senior Inspector Louie Figueroa, Cauayan police chief, yesterday identified the suspect who surrendered to them as Rico Domdom, 37, brother of Felipe and Robert Domdom, who were earlier apprehended in Brgy. Linaon, Cauayan.

Russel Langcoyan, 18, was positively identified by witnesses among the two gunmen who shot dead Malones last week in Brgy. Inayawan, Cauayan.

Felipe Domdom was also seen by witnesses as the alleged look-out in the killing of Malones, a member of the Cauayan Police Station.

The NPA Roger Mahinay Command-Southwest Guerilla Front, in a statement furnished to the DAILY STAR, claimed that Malones is a protector of robbery-hold-up group, engaged in “kotong” operations, mauling of civilians and the alleged killing of a certain Osting Salendron who was suspected to be a rebel, while he was still a member of the defunct Philippine Constabulary.

The rebel group also admitted to have taken the .45 caliber pistol and a wallet of Malones containing P1,000 in cash, identification cards and pawnshop receipts.

The admission of the NPA bolstered the claims of Lt. Col. Romeo Basco, 61 st IB commander, that the gunmen were members of the Special Partisan Unit of the New People's Army who were on a test mission.

Figueroa said Rico Domdomn, alias Pippen, was accompanied by his wife, Maribel, in giving himself up to the Cauayan Police Station.

While he denied any participation in the killing of Malones, Figueroa said Rico surrendered to the police for security reasons.

The arrest of the three suspects on Feb. 10, two days after the death of Malones, also yielded a 9mm pistol, police records show.

Figueroa said Langcoyan, Felipe and Robert, have already been remitted to the Provincial Jail in Bacolod City , while Rico is still detained at the Cauayan Police Station Jail.

Police investigations also showed that the three brothers were also tagged as suspect in the killing of a barangay tanod in Brgy. Linaon, Cauayan, three years ago.

Despite the positive identification of the three suspects, Figueroa said the family of the slain barangay tanod did not file charges against them, in fear of their lives.*GPB

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