CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The suspected mastermind in the killing of Dr. Raul Winston Andutan surrendered to the police om Monday, January 24.
Major Evan Viñas, the spokesperson of the City Police identified the alleged mastermind as Richard Gepte, 51, and a resident of Balingoan town in Misamis Oriental.
Gepte is an incumbent councilor of Balingaoan town and is running for the vice mayoralty post come May elections.
Viñas revealed that Gepte was the alleged brain in the ambush of Andutan on December 2, 2021. The medical director of the privately owned Maria Reyna Xavier University Hospital. Andutan was killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen while driving his way tp the hospital.
Gepte reportedly stayed at the Carmelite Monastery in Barangay Camaman-an as he sent surrender feelers to the police. It was his lawyer Atty. Silvan Sabio who arranged the surrender of his client.
Viñas said it was Sabio who called Brig. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., the police regional director, regarding Gepte’s intent to surrender.
“With the help of Attorney Silvan Sabio, [we] were able to convince Mr. Richard Gepte to surrender. His surrender can be credited to the strong police-community partnership,” Acorda posted on social media Sunday, Jan. 23.
A warrant of arrest was issued by Judge Gil Bollozos of the Regional Trial Court Branch 21 against the suspect for murder, docketed as criminal case no. R-CDO-21-04166-CR, with no bail recommended.
With Gepte’s surrender, Viñas said, investigators are focusing on two probable motives for Andutan’s killing – land dispute and death of a patient.
Prior to Gepte’s surrender, police arrested three suspects believed to have carried out the shooting.
The suspects were identified as Marjun Cabug, Joel Nacua, and Jomar Adlao, all from Bukidnon.
The fourth person, Rene Turtosa, said to be the handler who planned the ambush, is still in hiding.
Viñas said they were able to get hold of a receipt from a money remittance outlet allegedly showing Gepte sending money to the alleged gunmen, which the police used as one of the pieces of evidence.
When interrogated, Viñas said Gepte did not admit to the accusation but told investigators he will answer all allegations against him in court.-Jigger Jerusalem
