Clock ticking for Baron slay suspect

Fugitive police officer Rafael Cardeno was given the option to surrender to a mistah, or a classmate from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), by Chief Superintendent Romeo Maganto, Task Force Baron commander.

Maganto had given Cardeno until 12 midnight yesterday to turn himself into the authorities after a year of hiding.

As of press time, Maganto and the family of slain Baron Alexander Cervantes are still waiting for Cardeno to "voluntary surrender."

"He can even choose the officer to whom he wishes to surrender. He does not have to surrender to me," Maganto said in a phone interview, stressing that he was not after the credit.

Maganto hinted that Cardeno has already selected the mistah to whom he would surrender, but refused to identify him. He said Cardeno has been given several options for his surrender.

Cardeno was tagged as the alleged mastermind in the murder of Cervantes, the self-styled spokesperson of the Young Officer’s Union (YOU). He was gunned down along the Alabang-Zapote Road in Las Piñas City on Dec. 31, 2001.

Maganto said a manhunt for Cardeno would be inevitable should he fail to surrender. But he said he trusts that Cardeno’s lawyer, Homobono Adaza, would be able to facilitate the surrender. – Nikko Dizon