After 14 years of hiding, a former policeman who was tagged in the killing of the aunt of billiards legend Efren “Bata” Reyes was arrested in a raid in Olongapo City.
Police Major Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, director of the National Capital Region Police Office, said the operation against the suspect Elias Gamboa stemmed from a tip-off about his whereabouts. “He was arrested while on his way to vote on Monday in West Bajac, Olongapo City,” said Eleazar.
Gamboa is a policeman who did not report to duty after the killing of Victoria Pangilinan on March 20, 2005 in Manila. He used to be assigned to the Manila Police District Station 11 (Meisic).
Based on court records, Gamboa and Pangilinan had a mutual understanding but the two figured in a heated argument that led the suspect to stab the victim 19 times. Pangilinan was then 60-years-old.
He was charged with murder with no bail recommended in October 2005. A reward of P145,000 was offered for his arrest.
“Gamboa hid in different places and became a tricycle driver to sustain his needs from 2005 up to the date of arrest,” said Eleazar, adding that Gamboa was dismissed from the service in 2006. (Aaron Recuenco)