Suspect in killing of TV researcher now with QC probers

A man arrested in Daanbantayan on suspicion of having a hand in the killing of a television program researcher in Quezon City has been turned over to the deputy chief of the Criminal Investigation Division of Quezon City yesterday noon from the Provincial Intelligence and Investigation Branch.

PO2 Mamerto Gastador of Daanbantayan police arrested Roel Aspera Sanchez, 20, single, of sitio Sakoptominhaw, barangay Talisay, Daanbantayan town last April 3. Sanchez, however, denied having been arrested but claimed he surrendered to an uncle who worked as a barangay tanod in his hometown.

Sanchez is suspected of being one of three men who had a hand in killing Larry Estandarte, a researcher who worked for Korina Sanchez's tv program Rated K.

Estandarte was found dead at Krus Naligas, Quezon City, last August 26, 2005 already in a state of decomposition, police said.

Police said Sanchez, prior to his arrest, had a standing arrest warrant for qualified theft. Sanchez faces robbery with homicide charges, police said.

The police have been on the case for seven months before the arrest.

Two other suspects are still at large.

Police said the suspects who had allegedly demanded money from the alleged homosexual Estandarte, stabbed him when he refused.

Sanchez has denied the accusations but admitted having known Estandarte. He said there were four of them that night. Three of them went to Estandarte's house while he stood outside.

He said a certain "Toto" was with a certain Darwin and Junior when the stabbing happened.

All of them fled the scene as soon as it was over. - Norvie S. Misa, correspondent