Suspect in Liu slay arrested

CEBU, Philippines - The suspect in the killing of drug case witness Bernard Liu was arrested yesterday in Barangay Tangke, Talisay City, Cebu.

Talisay City policemen led by inspectors Rio Ugo Ipong and Ricardo Echaves arrested 19-year-old Rhem Balquin of Sitio Rattan of the said barangay around 5:20 p.m.

The arrest was by virtue of the arrest warrant issued by Judge Enriqueta Belarmino of the Regional Trial Court Branch 57 which was issued last October 19.

Balquin was arrested in his house in the presence of his mother, Edita. 

The suspect did not resist arrest.     

Recovered from the possession of the suspect was a .38 cal. revolver with two live rounds allegedly owned by Liu.

The victim, who was a witness in a high-profile illegal drugs case and testified before the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs in 2001 against his former employer, Peter Go Lim and his brother Wellington, was found dead last September 29 in his house in Naya Subdivision, also in Sitio Rattan.

Liu’s body was already in an advanced state of decomposition.

Investigators discovered that it unusual that the main door of the victim’s house was padlocked and that there was an iron bar blocking it.

Liu, who was in his 50s, lived alone after his long-time live-in partner left him. Their only daughter, Abigail, later left him reportedly because of his uncontrollable temper.

Based on the autopsy report of PNP medico-legal officer Dr. Joe Martin Fuentes, it was revealed that Liu died of strangulation.

Fuentes likewise said Liu may have been dead at least two weeks, but not exceeding month, when his body was found after neighbors complained of a foul odor from his house.  (FREEMAN)