Female suspect in Valenzuela robbery-killing arrested but 3 are still at large

Law enforcers are still hunting for Rico Reyes, Narciso Santiago and dismissed police officer Anthony Cubos, all suspects in the robbery-killing of messenger Nino Luegi Hernando in Valenzuela City. A reward of P300,000 awaits anyone who could lead police to where the three suspects are. PHOTO FROM VALENZUELA CITY LGU

MANILA, Philippines—Police arrested a third suspect in the robbery-killing of a company messenger carrying nearly half-a-million pesos in payroll last October in Valenzuela City.

According to a report by the Philippine National Police (PNP) National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Thursday (Dec. 3), the Valenzuela City police tracked down Jo-Ann Cabatuan, 31, at the village of Lourdes, Minalin town, Pampanga province around 5 p.m. on Tuesday (Dec. 2).

Police served the warrant of arrest on Cabatuan for a case of robbery with homicide issued by Judge Snooky Maria Ana Bareno-Sagayo, of the Valenzuela Regional Trial Court last Nov. 19.

A separate case of car theft is awaiting the suspects.

No bail was recommended for Cabatuan’s temporary release.

She was the third of six suspects in the killing last Oct. 9 of Nino Luegi Hernando, 39, after he was robbed coming out of a bank on Maysan Road in Valenzuela. Hernando was shot and killed by motorcycle-riding men.

A total of P442,714 in cash, which was for payroll, was taken from Hernando. His motorcycle, a Yamaha Nmax, was also stolen by the suspects.

Two of Cabatuan’s other accomplices—Edgar Batchar and Michael Castro—were arrested last month. Castro is a police officer with corporal rank at the Northern Police District drug enforcement unit who is on Awol or absent without leave.

Cabatuan had initially been listed as a witness but was eventually considered a suspect after investigators learned she had provided information on Hernando’s whereabouts, including his routine of withdrawing P2 million every week at a Valenzuela bank.

She was also identified as the live-in partner of a certain Henry Rubio, who was jailed for rape after Hernando testified against him.

Rubio was a friend of dismissed PO1 Anthony Cubos, who was identified as the mastermind of a Bulacan-based robbery and gun-for-hire group believed to be behind the mission to rob Hernando.

Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., NCRPO chief, urged the public to report to authorities any information of the other suspects, who are still at large—Cubos; Rico Reyes, alias “Moja,” 21; and Narciso Santiago, alias “Tukmol,” 37.

The Valenzuela City government is offering a cash reward of P300,000 to anyone who could provide information on the whereabouts of the three suspects who are still on the loose.

TSB