Retired AFP member and ex-cop behind killing of Abra businessman finally arrested

Cagayan, Philippines – The justice the Torricer family has been clamoring for almost three years is now slowly being attained with the recent arrest of two suspects behind their loved one’s death.

On December 5, 2021, businessman Jefferson Torricer, who was from Abra, was vacationing at his family’s house in Cullit, Cagayan, when he and his siblings went to a resto-bar in Lal-lo.

At the time, the victim was said to have encountered a certain group with whom he had an argument before he was shot to death.

Nearly three years after the crime, the Cagayan police were able to corner two of the suspects behind the shooting in a subdivision in Santa Maria, Bulacan, on April 21, 2024, through a warrant of arrest.

According to Police Regional Office 2, the authorities arrested Alias ‘Jerry’, who is a former police non-commissioned officer and now a businessman; and Alias ‘Manny’, who is a retired member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

PRO2 further described that ‘Jerry’ is the leader of the Potential Private Armed Group (PPAG) or the ‘Alipio Group’ operating in Region 2. Also, the accused is facing other charges such as attempted murder relative to a case that happened in Cagayan in 2016.

Moreover, the police are currently probing other offenses against the suspect, such as other light and grave threats that happened in 2007 and 2016.

Cagayan Valley Police Regional Director, PBGen. Christopher Birung, believed that the arrest of the two suspects would weaken the potential private armed group, which will pave way to stopping the violence they may cause to the community.

"The apprehension of these high-risk personalities will definitely weaken the power and influence of the potential private armed group, not only in Cagayan Valley but also in other places where they operate,” he said.