NAGA CITY --- It’s only a matter of time that the suspect in the early morning gunslaying of Naga City market supervisor Francisco ‘Paco’ Ojeda, 64, would finally fall into the hands of the police, a police crime investigator confided to the Bicol Mail yesterday (Aug. 13).

        The crime investigator who requested not to be identified said investigation on the Ojeda case is on its critical stage such that certain details, including the identity of the suspect and his supposed look-out, could not be divulged yet.

        Paco Ojeda, a son of the late Naga City Mayor Victorino Ojeda, was shot dead at around 6:00 o’clock Tuesday (Aug. 11) morning near radio station DWLL along Balatas road here while jogging his way to the Basilica of Our Lady of Penafrancia.

        He sustained three bullet wounds, one of which entered through his nape and exited through his right temple.

        The Bicol Mail source said police investigation showed that Ojeda, walking from his home nearby, was approached by his supposed assailant near a car wash shop adjacent to Chili Peppers at the corner of Dayangdang Street and Magsaysay Avenue. The two had an unpleasant exchange of words until they crossed Magsaysay Avenue towards Balatas road, investigation showed.

        While the altercation became more hostile, Ojeda had the chance to talk to someone on his cellphone. At this point, the assailant took out his concealed firearm and shot Ojeda almost at point blank, his cellphone thrown off the ground. A witness reportedly recovered the cellphone shortly after the incident and surrendered it to the police for investigation.

        After three shots, the suspect ran towards a waiting black motorcycle and its driver near the scene of the crime who, witnesses said, had been waiting on the spot near the scene of the crime even when Ojeda and the suspect were awkwardly walking abreast with each other, exchanging heated words, towards Balatas Road.

        Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, who immediately went to the scene of the crime has lamented that a police team arrived after about twenty minutes later when everything was too late. An irate city mayor said the police team or station that has jurisdiction over the area should be held accountable for their sluggish response, and for that matter, for every incident that happens in their respective areas of responsibilities.

        SPO1 Joey Corre, case investigator, said that a witness, working in the local radio station who saw Ojeda fell, said he shouted at the suspect and the motorcycle driver. One of them instead flipped the registration plate of the motorcycle to hide its number as they revved up to flee towards the right corner of Magsaysay Avenue from the crime scene.

        Minutes later, investigators received a tip that the black motorcycle with its flipped motor registration plate cruised through a subdivision in San Agustin, Canaman, Camarines Sur at about 7 o’clock in the morning.

        Investigators said the suspect was apparently known to the victim. With report by Juan Escandor Jr.