three suspects on killing of Korean family in Olongapo arrested by police

Miami
July 31, 2008
Story 3: three suspects on killing of Korean family in Olongapo arrested by police

Three suspects in killing of the Korean family in Olongapo city has been arrested by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of Zambales Police who already helped in the investigation.

According to Sr. Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, Region 3 Regional Chief of 3rd Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (3CIDU) they already have witnesses who said that the suspects were already strolling at the vicinity of the house at around 1:00 am of July 27.

Those who were arrested were Dario Basalla, 34, carpenter, residing at Sitio Botolan, Iram resettlement, Bgy. New Cabalan, Olongapo City was also arrested for illegal possession of a cal .45 pistol. Then, Willy Visda,32, vendor, resident of Bgy. Mambog, Botolan, Zambales. Visda has a pending case of attempted estafa before the Olongapo Metropolitan Court. They were arrested at around 3:00 pm of July 30. The two were arrested in the house of Basalla.

In a follow-up operation, the police arrested Ronilo Cada, 49, worked as steelman in Hanjin, residing in Bgy. Lipaydingin, Iba, Zambales was also arrested in Bgy. Mabayuhan, Olongapo City at around 3:00 am of July 31 for illegal possession of a cal .38. Then one of the witness identify him as one of the people who was with Basalla and Visda. He has also a warrant of arrest for murder in Lagonoy, Camarines Sur.

Eleazar added that based on their investigation, the motive on the killing are robbery and revenge. “There are many angles that coming out that we cannot establish yet because we need strong evidences on it.”

Revenge was one of the angle because it was Cada that was allegedly recruited by Byung Kwon Choi and was later dismiss from his post.

Another reason for revenge, Eleazar said is that the area where the Koreans are living are resettlement for native of Olongapo and Zambales or for the Aetas. Allegedly the aetas do not like the idea that there are Koreans living on their place where in fact it should be exclusively for them only. But Eleazar cleared that they are still investigating deeper on the case.

In fact, Eleazar said that two of the suspects that are still at large as of the moment are both aetas.

A case of multiple murder and rape will be filed against the suspects.