The Silay City barangay captain facing murder and frustrated murder charges for the death of two and the injury of seven in Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, on election day tested positive for gunpowder nitrate.
The positive paraffin test results of Barangay Captain Arnie Benedicto of Lantad, Silay City, was confirmed by PCol. Arwin Tadeo, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Negros Island Region chief, on Wednesday, June 18.
Tadeo, who was at a Regional Joint Security Control Center press conference at the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office headquarters, said Benedicto remains in the custody of the CIDG,
The case against Benedicto and three others is pending before the Silay Prosecutor’s Office and they are waiting for a commitment order from the court for his transfer to a jail, he said.
The shooting was politically motivated, he said.
Murder and frustrated murder charges were earlier filed against Benedicto and three unidentified persons before the Silay City Prosecutor’s Office.
Killed in the shooting incident were Albert Salimbot and Ronnie Piedad, 47, of Silay City.
Wounded were Ruel Espinosa, 42; Rick Ortillano, 46; Wilfredo Cuello, 46; Jason Belleza; Joey Pomares; Glenn Gutierrez, 49; and Ginray Guitche, 32, all of Silay City.*