Reward set for money-changer’s killers in Baguio

By Dexter A. See 

BAGUIO CITY – Anti-crime advocates and family members of a murdered local money changer raised P100,000 as reward money to whoever can provide probers with vital information that will lead to the arrest of his killers, a top police official said here.

Senior Supt. George D. Daskeo, city police director declined to identify the donors of the reward money, saying it will help in the arrest of the perpetrators considering their identities are already with law enforcers.

“We take every information leading to the arrest of the murder suspects positively and we want the public to help in solving one of the cases in the city last month,” Daskeo said.

In the late afternoon of June 15,  the 65-year old money changer died while his brother was injured after they were fired upon by two still unidentified gun-wielding suspects during a robbery holdup at Purok 5, Bakakeng Norte.

The fatality was identified as Larry Oliva Haya Sr. 65, married, businessman, and a resident at Purok 5, Bakakeng Norte, while his injured brother was named as Randolph Oliva Haya Sr., 67, married, and a resident at the same purok.

Initial police investigation showed the businessman was walking towards his house when he was approached by two still unidentified individuals and at gun point allegedly announced the heist.

          At this juncture, the two suspects were able to grab the sling bag of the victim containing a huge amount of money in various currencies before he was shot on the face and chest.

His brother tried to come to his rescue after hearing the commotion but as soon as he came out of his house, he was fired upon by the suspects hitting him on his hips.

The suspects fled on foot while the two victims were brought to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) for but the businessman was pronounced dead on arrival by attending physicians.

According to the victim’s wife, the sling bag contained 50,000.00 US dollard (P2,330,000.00); 10,000.00 Malaysian ringgit (P112,000.00); 1,150.00 Pounds (P76, 475.00); 1,900.00 Euros (P99,370.00);  and P320,000.00.

Daskeo said the identities of the suspects were known through the assistance of witnesses and with the help of the anti-cyber crime division of the PNP that enhanced the footages that were taken by a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera that was able to take footages of the suspects while they were escaping from the crime scene.

 He said probers are now zeroing in on the suspects through the help of concerned citizens with the hope that they will be arrested the soonest for them to answer for the crime they committed against one of the well-known money changers in the city.