‘Plastics king’ offers to shoulder Strunk’s airfare

The Nida Blanca murder case can finally move forward, thanks to the country’s "plastics king," who has turned out to be one of the biggest fans of the slain dramatic actress.

William Gatchalian, owner of the Wellex Group of Companies, has offered to shoulder the airfare of Blanca’s husband, Rod Lauren Strunk, who earlier admitted he could not return to the Philippines to face murder charges because he was broke.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Reynaldo Wycoco said yesterday that because of Gatchalian’s generosity, Strunk no longer has an excuse not to return the the country.

Last week, the NBI filed parricide charges against Strunk, who is currently staying in California. Also charged were confessed assassin Philip Medel Jr. and three John or Jane Does.

Asked why Gatchalian was willing to pay for Strunk’s plane ticket, Wycoco said: "I’m not really sure, but he did tell me that he idolized Nida."

This is not the first time that the industrialist performed an act of generosity in connection with a sensational murder case.

In August 1996, Gatchalian paid the "blood money" and shouldered the airfare of Filipina maid Sarah Balabagan, who was repatriated from the United Arab Emirates after killing her Arab employer in self-defense during a rape attempt.

Last year, Strunk was tagged by Medel as the mastermind of the Blanca murder. Medel, however, later recanted, claiming the police tortured him into admitting the crime.

In the absence of formal charges, Strunk left the country in January to attend to his ailing mother in California.

Apart from Medel’s confession, charges against Strunk were based on testimonies of 25 other witnesses, including the owner of a store where the American allegedly bought the knife used in the crime. – With Delon Porcalla