Suspect in Quintos twin slay arrested

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested over the weekend in Las Piñas City a suspect in the 1997 slay of Michael and Paul Quintos in Occidental Mindoro.

Suspect Orlando Estanes, alias "Edong," 41, a security guard, was nabbed by agents of the NBI’s Cavite District Office in his house at Metrocor South Gate, Almanza last Friday.

According to head agent Damielito Lalusis, they received information early this month that Estanes was seen in Las Piñas City. They then conducted a surveillance operation and confirmed the information. Estanes was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 81 Judge Teresa Yadao.

On Dec. 13, 1997, Michael 27, and Paul Quintos, 31 were killed in an ambush in Barangay Cinco, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. Rep. Jose Villarosa, and now governor, was accused of allegedly masterminding the killing.

The Quintos brothers were attending a birthday party in Mamburao when five armed men barged into the house and shot the brothers in cold blood.

The charges against Villarosa were based on the testimony of Eduardo Hermoso, who served as lookout in the Dec. 13 killing. Hermoso is now under NBI custody.

Hermoso also claimed to be present at a meeting during which Villarosa allegedly discussed the assassination of the Quintos brothers.

Villarosa, who was elected governor in the last elections, is out of jail after posting a P400,000 bail. Although murder is a non-bailable offense, the presiding judge allowed Villarosa to post bail after ruling that the evidence against him was weak.

Also charged with Villarosa for their alleged involvement in the twin slays were Orlando Estanes, Cesar Salazar, alleged security officer of Villarosa, Manolito Matricio, Antenor Corpuz, Nardo dela Cruz, Noel dela Cruz, Jojo Villamar, Balbin Fernandez, Tony Bo, Juanito Estanes, Mario Tobias a certain "Bari," a certain alias "Ilocano," a certain "Umeng" a certain "Ka Rex," and Hermoso.

According to the NBI, Estanes, in a sworn statement, admitted his participation in the killings and that he served as lookout. After the killings, Estanes said he moved to Manila and has not returned to Mindoro ever since.

Meanwhile, a 33-year-old market vendor was stabbed in Sta. Cruz, Manila, early morning yesterday.

Homicide investigators of the Western Police District identified the victim as Mario Pleno, of 305 Balagtas St., Tondo.

Investigation showed that Pleno was walking in front of Cairo Shoe Store, along Claro M. Rector Avenue at about 6 a.m., when the unidentified suspect, armed with a large kitchen knife, suddenly appeared from behind and approached the victim.

Police said the victim was alerted and ran. However, the suspect, after a brief chase, caught up with Pleno and stabbed him once in the left armpit.

Investigators said the victim then slumped dead while the suspect fled on foot. Probers are eyeing the possibility that a personal grudge triggered Pleno’s stabbing.