Suspect in Abante reporter slaying nabbed in Bataan

BALANGA CITY, Bataan—A suspect in the slaying of Abante correspondent Nerlita Ledesma on Jan. 8 was arrested by the Bataan police last Friday, according to a report issued on Monday.

Inocencio Dela Cruz Bendo was among 18 suspects who were rounded up simultaneously in Bataan towns targeted by a coordinated anti-narcotics operation, said Supt. Rhodel Sermonia, Bataan police director.

Bendo, a 40-year-old resident of Samal town, was first arrested last Jan. 9, after he was tagged as the gunman in the killing of Ledesma in Barangay (village) Tuyo here.

However, he was freed when witnesses failed to identify him in a police lineup.

Shortly after Bendo’s Friday arrest, Sermonia said the witnesses submitted supplemental testimonies tying him once more to Ledesma’s murder.

Bendo was nabbed along with the following illegal drug trade suspects: Abraham Manalili, Julius Acuzar, Edna dela Cruz, Fortune Paguio, Richard Paguio, Modesto Puno Jr., Alex Alcantara, Alfie Bantugan, Miquel de Andres and Ronald Matawaran.

Also arrested were Leonardo Bibon, Jeffrey Macaspac, Ruben Fernando, Jener Espinosa, Editha Navarro, Christian Dan Lizo and Reynaldo de Leon.

They have been detained at the Bataan District Jail. RAM

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