Operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group collared the alleged mastermind behind the killing of barangay chairwoman and her husband last month in Tarlac.

CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat on Friday identified the suspect as Jessie Mendoza, who was arrested by joint operatives of the CIDG Region 3 and other police units in a search warrant operation for violations of R.A. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Law and RA 9516 or Illegal Possession of Explosives in Gerona, Tarlac last Thursday.

The operation stemmed from the information given by the arrested gunman Marlon Cunanan in the killing of Editha Zarzuela, the village chairperson of Plastado, Gerona and her spouse Edgar Zarzuela last 30 November 2023.

"According to him, after the killing, he turned over the gun to Jessie Mendoza on the same date of the shooting incident as well as the motorcycle used. In addition, based on what the Gunman revealed, Jessie Mendoza was one of the masterminds in the said murder and served as a spotter where the victims were going as well as their activities on the day of the shooting," Caramat said.

Investigations revealed that the motive of the arrested suspect behind the killing of the female village chief is due to competing interests being agents in the sale of land in the area.

Police also seized from the suspect are black sling bag: A hand grenade; a caliber .45 pistol (Armscor); and magazine assembly for a caliber .45 pistol loaded with six pieces of live ammunition, a white pouch: with live ammo for a 12gauge shotgun; seven live ammo for carbine rifle; fivelive ammo for cal. 45; red sling bag, containing; five live ammo for cal .38; 15 live ammo for cal 9mm;  10 live ammo for cal. 40; and 14 live ammo for caliber 9mm.

The caliber .45 recovered matched the description of the gunman as to the firearms they used in killing the victims which will be immediately submitted to the PNP Forensic Group for ballistic examination.

Mendoza was brought to CIDG Tarlac PFU for standard booking procedure together with confiscated pieces of evidence for documentation and proper disposition while pertinent documents are being prepared for filing of appropriate criminal complaints against the suspect before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, Hall of Justice, Tarlac City, Tarlac.