Suspect in slay of Quezon cop surrenders

Quezon province map. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

LUCENA CITY — The main suspect in the killing of a town policeman in Quezon province last May surrendered to the authorities on Thursday, Oct. 12, a police report said.

Colonel Ledon Monte, Quezon police chief, reported that an alias “Efren,” 56, a resident of BarangayBukal Sur in Candelaria town submitted himself to the police on Thursday morning after the court issued a warrant of arrest for the killing of Staff Sergeant Reniel Marin on May 6.

His surrender resulted from the negotiations by local government officials and police, the report said.

On May 6, the Candelaria police reported that one Morfe Azul was on his way home aboard his tricycle when he confronted Teodulo Rustia Jr., who was blocking the road with his parked tricycle in Bukal Sur.

A heated argument ensued between the two, which prompted Rustia to grab his handgun and shoot Azul in the body and head. Rustia fled after the shooting and left his target wounded.

Marin and a team of policemen conducted a hot-pursuit operation and went to Rustia’s house in the same village.

Azul’s brother, “Efren”, who lived in the same village, suddenly appeared and shot the policemen who were talking to Rustia’s wife. “Efren” fled after the shooting.

Marin was hit on his right chest and later died in a local hospital while undergoing treatment.

Investigators said the gunman probably thought that the cops were the one who shot his brother.

“We can now attain justice for the valor and sacrifice of our fellow officer,” Monte said in a statement. Monte also expressed his gratitude to the local officials and others who helped in the surrender of the suspect.

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