COMBINED operatives on Friday arrested in Antipolo City, Rizal the prime suspect in the killing of former Trece Martires City vice mayor Alex Lubigan and his security escort in 2018.
A report submitted to Cavite police director Col. Christopher Olazo identified the arrested suspect as Ariel Paiton, the alleged gunman in the murder of Lubigan.
Paiton was arrested in his hiding place at Sitio Pantay, Bgy. San Jose, Antipolo City, Rizal at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.
Armed with a warrant of arrest for two counts of murder and frustrated murder issued by a local court, joint members of the Trece Martires PNP Tracker Team under chief of police Lt. Col. Jonathan Asnan, the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Cavite Police Provincial Office, the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Rizal Police Provincial Office, and the Special Weapons and Tactics-Rizal, launched the operation.
Seized from Paiton were a cal. 45 revolver, a magazine for the gun and 16 rounds of ammunition.
Lubigan and his security detail Romulo Guilemer were in a Toyota Hilux driven by Romeo Edrinal when waylaid in a village in Trece Martires City on July 7, 2018.
Edrinal survived the attack.
Paiton is now detained at the Trece Martires City detention center.
