Baron slay suspect ready to surrender?

Task Force Cervantes commander, Chief Superintendent Romeo Maganto, said yesterday fugitive police officer Rafael Cardeño has called him and expressed his willingness to surrender.

However, Maganto said Cardeño expressed concern over "political" issues as well as his security.

"But I told him that my mission is only to serve the warrant. I have no authority to talk about his case but I can guarantee his safety," Maganto said in a phone interview.

Cardeño has been tagged as the alleged masterminded in the killing of Baron Alexander Cervantes, the self-styled spokesperson of the Young Officers’ Union (YOU) last Dec. 31, 2001 in Las Piñas City.

Maganto said he sent his calling card to Cardeño through an emissary. Cardeño apparently received it and called up Wednesday afternoon, the start of the trial of the murder case against him, Maganto said.

He added they talked for several minutes but the signal was weak and the reception was choppy.

Maganto also said that task force members sighted Cardeño and his group at a nearby province last Monday. Cardeño’s group, however, was reportedly armed.

The manhunt for Cardeño’s arrest, as well as that of his cohort Sonny Camacho, continues," Maganto said.

"But the door is still open for negotiations," he emphasized.

He added that a politician, a lawyer, and two civilian people are helping in facilitating Cardeño’s possible surrender. Maganto declined to name these people.

Maganto also revealed that Cardeño’s lawyer, Homobono Adaza, did not actually talk to his client when he coordinated for his supposed surrender almost two weeks ago. – Nikko Dizon