By Jennifer P. Rendon
One of the suspects in the assassination of a barangay official three years ago was arrested in Nasugbu, Batangas.
The warrant of arrest against Joey Bacus was served while he was in detention at the custodial facility of Nasugbu Police Station evening of May 14.
Members of Nasugbu Police Station led by Major Bautista, in coordination with the Roxas City Police Station, served the arrest warrant against Bacus for Criminal Case No.-319-18,
It was issued by Judge Kristine B. Tiangco-Vinculado of the Regional Trial Court 6 (RTC-6) Branch 16, Roxas City on Sept. 14, 2018.
Nasugbu police had collared Bacus on May 10, 2021 at Barangay Bucana, Nasugbu after a firearm was seized from his possession.
Police report indicated that Bacus was involved in illegal gambling and other illegal activities, such as gun for hire activities in Roxas City and other municipalities of Capiz province.
Aside from the killing of Asis, the accused had been imprisoned for a homicide case in 2011. He was released following an amicable settlement.
ASIS ASSASSINATION
Then 51-year-old Asis, who was seeking another term of office, was shot dead by riding-in-tandem gunmen at Roxas City, Capiz, more than three years ago.
Asis’ companion and nephew, 30-year-old Joselito Casila who was driving the motorcycle, was also injured.
Asis sustained gunshot wounds on the back of his head, back of his body, and right arm.
He died two hours later while undergoing treatment at Capiz Doctors’ Hospital.
On the other hand, Casila sustained gunshot wound on the right arm.
According to reports, the two victims came from Sitio Patag in Barangay Lawaan where they held a bingo game.
But they had to return to get bingo balls.
Asis and Casila were on their way back when the two suspects tailed and shot them.
Police recovered four fired cartridges of caliber .45 pistol from the crime scene.
While Asis was running with another candidate, investigators are looking at politics as unlikely motive of the incident.
The angle, a source claimed, could be traced to Asis’ previous involvement with an illegal gambling operation in Roxas City.
He allegedly ran a bookies operation, but someone was financing it.
When the state-sanctioned Small Town Lottery (STL) operated, Asis was offered to join the legal gambling group.
This has apparently gained the ire of his bookies financier.
That was when he started receiving death threats.
