Major to face NBI grilling for director's death
First posted 11:14pm (Mla time) July 06, 2005
By Margaux C. Ortiz
Inquirer News Service


THE MARINE officer who reportedly owned the gun that killed TV director Louis "Luigi" Santiago will have to face investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or face charges.

Major Robert Velasco of the Marines has been subpoenaed with a certain Charito Angeles, who reportedly owned the Toyota Hi-Lux used as the getaway vehicle of the gunman that killed Santiago early morning of June 8.

Six other persons, including a policeman, were wounded in the shooting incident outside V-Bar at the Ayala Center in Makati City.

Oliver Jameiro has surrendered and confessed to firing the gun that killed Santiago.

Wycoco said the NBI coursed the subpoena for Velasco through Vice Admiral Ernesto de Leon, Navy flag officer in command, "for him to direct the Marine official to honor the NBI's invitation."

Wycoco added that they also sent a summons to Angeles' last known address at the posh Hillsborough subdivision in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

"We learned that Angeles was a frequent visitor to the United States and we do not know if she is presently in the country," Wycoco said.

The NBI director stressed that Angeles might be criminally liable because Jameiro said that she was the one who handed him the gun that he used to shoot the victims.

"At the very least, she could be charged with being an accomplice to a homicide or even as a principal by inducement. Without her apparent help, the crime might not have taken place," Wycoco said.

The NBI director said they were still studying what charges to file against Velasco.

"Velasco's apparent negligence caused [someone's] death," Wycoco said.

He added that Velasco could also face an administrative case if he failed to explain how the Glock pistol used in the shooting ended up in Angeles' hands.

"It appears that Angeles is a friend of both Jameiro and Velasco," the NBI chief said.

Wycoco said they would file charges against Angeles and Velasco Friday afternoon or Monday morning if they failed to appear before the NBI without justification.

Meanwhile, the Southern Police District (SPD) said Wednesday that the arrest of Jameiro was accomplished through cooperation between them and the NBI.

"What is important is that government agencies like the NBI and the police worked together to solve a case," said SPD director Chief Supt. Wilfredo Garcia.

Makati policemen had spent almost a month hunting down the gunman.

Garcia said the Makati police requested the NBI to conduct a background check on Jameiro, after an informant tipped them about the suspect's full name.

The NBI arrested Jameiro last Sunday in Marikina City and subsequently filed charges against the suspect.

Ellie