The lone witness, also a Korean national, laughed when shown a picture of Victor M. Rivera, 38, who was arrested on December 14 by the Special Concerns Unit (SCU) of the PNP Regional Intelligence Division (RID).
The lone witness described the gunman as tall with light skin and elongated face wearing a golf hat and dark sunglasses with his shirt collar standing up while Rivera can be clearly seen in his police pictures as short, about 5’5”, with dark skin and round face. He even has a mole on his nose while the real gunman was unblemished, said the witness.
He also said the shape of the ears of the real gunman are very distinct and he can vividly remember his face because he is a professional artist who makes signboards for a living.
The witness said he was the only one in the room with Park when the gunman barged in and asked: “Who is Mr. Park?”
At that point, the witness said, Mr. Park raised his hand and gunman approached him and emptied his weapon on him and left on board a silver Toyota Innova.
According to a report submitted to PNP Regional Director, Chief Supt. Rudy G. Lacadin, the SCU served a Search Warrant issued by Judge Celso O. Baguio of RTC Branch 34 of Gapan City Nueva Ecija at San Bernardino St., Villa Teodora, Barangay Dau in nearby Mabalacat City which resulted in the arrest of Rivera, the alleged leader of the Victor Rivera gun-for-hire group.
The report said the group is active in Pampanga preying on prominent families and Korean nationals. Rivera, according to the report, is the primary suspect in the killing of, among others, Park Youn Jae who succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds in the different parts of his body.
Seized during the police operation were assorted firearms, explosives and ammunition, PNP patrol uniform, bullet proof vest and an NBI badge.
Rivera is presently detained at the RID-SCU3 while a case of Violation of RA 10591 (Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition) and Violation of RA 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives) are now being readied for filing through inquest before the City Prosecutors Office in Mabalacat City.
The police said the successful arrest of Rivera, who is considered a high value target, was a result of “relentless surveillance and intelligence driven operations.”
For his part, Lacadin lauded the policemen for “a job well done” and remarked that “one criminal off the street accords citizens with a sound sleep.”
Lacadin also directed all Police Provincial Offices “to conduct an obstinate, efficient campaign and advocacy by implementing a wide-ranging pro-active approach/strategy on its campaign against lawless elements in coordination with various law enforcement and other concerned government agencies.”
