Dispute over car theft dealings explored as motive in Olongapo killings

Police are now turning their attention to a dispute over a car theft or carnapping racket as a possible motive behind the murder of model Scarlet Garcia and three of her companions in Olongapo City last week.

In a radio interview, Olongapo City police chief Sr. Supt. Abelardo Villacorta said Garcia's live-in partner George Vitug Castro Jr (initially identified only as George Vitug) had connections to a car theft ring and may have been involved in a deal gone sour.

"Puwede itong nagkaroon ng onsehan sa kanilang dealing na siyang puwedeng maging dahilan ng pagpatay sa kanila. Puwedeng kakilala talaga ng mga suspect kaya lahat ng mga occupants sa apartment ay pinaslang (It is possible there was some double-cross involved that led to the killing. It is also possible that the suspects killed all four persons inside the townhouse because the suspects are known to the victims)," Villacorta told Bombo Radyo.

Excerpts of the interview were posted on Bombo Radyo's website Wednesday morning.

To recall, Garcia, Castro, Garcia's cousin Rachel Estacio and Van Mark Bandejas were found dead inside an Olongapo townhouse last March 13. All sustained gunshot wounds. Police noted that the killers tried to set fire to the townhouse, apparently to cover up the murder.

Earlier, police said they are investigating a traffic policeman, SPO1 Leopoldo Vitug Jr, for the murder. Vitug's personal belongings were found at the crime scene. Vitug, a cousin of Castro, denied involvement in the killing.

Garcia's aunt said in an earlier interview that Castro may have been involved in hanky-panky as he had a habit of passing himself off as a policeman.

"We are looking into a possible involvement ng ilang mga suspect who are involved in carnapping activities kasi lumalabas na itong si George Vitug Castro yong live-in partner ni Scarlet ay may involvement sa carnapping. May nakikita na kami dito na illegal na activities na itong involvement sa carnapping (We are looking into the possible involvement of the killers in carnapping activities. It is possible that Castro is involved)," Villacorta said. - GMANews.TV

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