MANILA – Authorities have arrested the alleged gunman behind the killing of a journalist from Laguna in 2005, the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) announced on Sunday (6 Apr 2025).
In a statement, CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III confirmed that the suspect, identified only as “Jalal,” was arrested in Barangay Poblacion, Sapad, Lanao del Norte, on Friday.
Jalal is accused of gunning down Robert Ramos, a reporter for the Katapat community newspaper, in Cabuyao in November 2005.
Torre stated that Jalal had been considered one of the most wanted persons nationwide, with a PHP150,000 bounty offered for his capture under Memorandum Circular No. 2009-46 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
The CIDG chief noted that for almost two decades, the suspect had moved between various locations in Laguna and Lanao del Norte provinces to evade capture.
“With this arrest, we have helped the victim and the victim’s family attain the justice they deserve,” Torre said.
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