Tacloban City (November 30) -- A case of murder or violation of Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code was filed against the assailants of Fr. Cecilio Pelito Lucero, Police Region 8 Director Mario Sandiego informed.

Director Sandiego disclosed that the Special Investigation Task Group Commander recommended the filing of the case at the Northern Samar Provincial Prosecutors Office, following the positive identification by the witnesses of Jerry Espera alias Tiyok, a.k.a. Mark Tonog, as being one of the assailants of Fr. Lucero.

The case NPS Docket No. VIII-II-INV-09K-00205 was filed by the SITG-Rev. Fr. Lucero against Mark Tonog and four other John Does at the sala of Prosecutor II Rosario F. Diaz.

The positive identification of one of the suspects came after a series of interviews by the Task Group investigators assigned at the designated quadrants in the crime scene on several witnesses, whose testimonies were utilized as direct and corroborating evidences.

Director Sandiego further informed that the Task Group is still in full swing of its exhaustive investigation to identify and locate other personalities behind the killing of Rev. Fr. Cecilio Pelito Lucero especially the mastermind who has the compelling motive to consummate the felony for the early closure of this instant case.

It would be recalled that on or about 8:30 in the morning of September 6, 2009, victim Rev. Fr. Cecilio Pelito Lucero together with his police escort PO2 Eugene Canales Bation and Isidro Miras was waylaid/ambushed by more or less Five (5) heavily armed men, along National Highway, near the Public Cemetery at Brgy Layuhan, of San Jose, Northern Samar.