Murder raps filed vs 4 in Pangasinan radioman slay

DAGUPAN CITY—Police on Tuesday filed murder complaints against four suspects in the killing of radioman Virgilio Maganes in Villasis town, Pangasinan province, last month.

Two of them had already been arrested after they were identified by witnesses, said Police Brig. Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., Ilocos regional police director. Maganes, 62, was gunned down on Nov. 10 in front of his house at Barangay San Blas in Villasis. He used to write a column for the local newspaper Northern Watch, and worked as a commentator for block-time programs in local radio stations in the province.

At a press briefing in Manila on Monday, Philippine National Police chief, Police Gen. Debold Sinas, said “personal grudge” was the motive behind the killing. He did not elaborate.

Azurin said Noe Ducay, the supposed gunman, was bagged on Dec. 9 after illegal firearms were found by police officers in his house. Police said Ducay belonged to a gun-for-hire group operating in Pangasinan.

A certain Romar Bustillos, a tricycle driver, was also arrested after witnesses said he acted as the “spotter.”

Azurin said the arrest of the two was based on “careful planning” and “meticulous investigation.” The two other suspects were not identified in the police complaints filed in the prosecutor’s office in Villasis. —YOLANDA SOTELO