By Arwen Pascua
MANILA — Authorities finally arrested a murder suspect who has been in hiding for seven long years on Sunday evening (19 Feb 2023) in Barangay Ginalinan Viejo, Dingle, Iloilo.
In a report by Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco, the police identified the suspect as one REBINO BLANZA Jr, 22 years old, single, and a resident of Barangay San Roque, Lupao, Nueva Ecija.
The suspect was only 15 years of age then when the incident happened.
Operatives of Dingle MPS, 1st Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6, Lupao MPS, and Nueva Ecija PPO implemented the arrest of the subject by virtue of a Warrant of Arrest for the crime of MURDER docketed under Criminal Case No. 3868-2016-L issued on February 3, 2016, by Hon. Leo Cecilio D Bautista, Presiding Judge of Third Judicial Region, RTC Branch 38, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija with no bail recommended.
The arrested person is listed as No.9 in Regional Most Wanted Person with a P135,000 monetary reward covered under DILG Memorandum Circular 2021-120.
Based on the investigation, a drinking spree began at the residence of the victim identified as Henry Comadre, 37 years old beautician together with his friends including the suspect on June 11, 2015.
At 5:30 on June 12, 2015, the victim was found dead with injuries on his head. A follow-up investigation identified BLANZA as the suspect.
The arrested person was brought to the Iloilo police office for documentation and custody awaiting the issuance of a Commitment Order from the Court.
“The arrest of the suspect brings justice to the victim and his family, also a clear message to all criminals that the PNP is intensifying and will continue to expedite arrest among wanted persons”, PNP Chief, Police General Rodolfo S Azurin Jr. said. (Amado Inigo/MTVN)
