Accused hitman in Nida slay dies

MANILA, Philippines - Philip Medel Jr., the confessed killer of actress Nida Blanca, died of pneumonia at the charity ward of the Pasig City General Hospital on Wednesday night.

Dr. Allan Custodio, who attended to Medel, said the cause of death was pneumonia.

Medel, 62, was initially under observation at the emergency room until his transfer to the charity ward after his condition had improved, he added.

However, police doubt that Medel died of natural causes.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa would like to know why the suspects in the Blanca murder are all dying, said PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina.

“Let us know from the facts why these people died, “ he said.

“It is imperative to know about the cause of his death. He is a co-accused of American Rod Strunk, who died due to suicide (in California in July 2007).”

Espina said Verzosa has ordered Eastern Police District director Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele to conduct a thorough investigation on the death of Medel.

“We are considering all the possibilities to erase doubts on the cause of his death,” he said.

Espina said if the investigation indicated that Medel did not die of natural causes, a full blown investigation would be undertaken to determine who was behind his death.

 “Nothing would be lost if investigation would say Medel died of natural cause, we just want to know the truth,” he said.

Pasig City Jail guards brought Medel to the hospital last Monday after he complained of difficulty in breathing and of chest pains.

Medel had been weak and had refused to eat for about two weeks, according to jail officials.

Reports showed that Medel confessed to the killing of Blanca at the parking lot of a condominium unit in Greenhills, San Juan in November 2001.

Several months later, Medel backtracked but police nevertheless charged him in court for the murder of Blanca.

While his case was being heard, Medel was detained at the Pasig City Jail.

Jail Officers 1 Nevales and Flores took Medel to the Pasig City General Hospital at 10:15 p.m. Tuesday. -WIth Cecille Suerte Felipe