THE Victorias City Police Station in Negros Occidental is looking for the handler of an alleged confidential agent of the Philippine Army who killed a policeman and injured a civilian at Barangay 21 on Sunday, September 2.
Chief Inspector Eduardo Corpuz, city police chief, said they already have the identity of the handler of Richard Artagame of E.B. Magalona town, but he refused to divulge the name as of press time.
"We just need to track down his location," Corpuz said, adding that Artagame's handler, also a member of the Philippine Army, is just in the province. The handler serves as the leader of the team of the agents of the military.
Corpuz said they will pursue the filing of the administrative and criminal cases against the handler if it warrants the evidence although they will still seek for legal advice.
Corpuz said the handler can also provide information regarding the real identity of Artagame.
He (handler) can also prove the suspect's claims, the city police chief added.
Earlier, Captain Ruel Llanes, civil military operations officer of 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Murcia town, said they do not know Artagame and he is not an asset of the military.
Corpuz said they are still gathering information regarding the background of Artagame, who received a mission order from the military based in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu province and was authorized to possess a firearm.
Corpuz said they received information that one of the two signatories on the mission order was a "bogus" based on intelligence reports.
Authorities have been doubtful about the mission order after the suspect is being paid for P200 a month.
The police already clarified that Artagame should have not been given a mission order because he is a civilian and only the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is authorized to give permits to civilians to possess firearms.
"We will still continue to verify their identities based on the recovered documents and Identification cards," Corpuz said.
Artagame is facing murder charges for Broce's death.
Corpuz said they are also processing the necessary documents for the filing of additional charges for frustrated murder, carnapping, and illegal possession of firearm.
