Cop killer falls

After five years in hiding, a murder suspect wanted for killing a police officer, was arrested by agents of the Northern Police District Office (NPDO) Thursday night in Plaridel, Bulacan.

Chief Inspector Sotero Ramos Jr., NPDO intelligence unit chief, identified the suspect as Hazel Villanueva, 24, of Block 5, Lot 47, Phase 2, Area 2, Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan City.

Villanueva was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Benjamin Aquino, of Malabon City Regional Trial Court on Oct. 23, 1997.

Police said Villanueva was one of the primary suspects in the stabbing to death of Caloocan City policeman PO2 Miguel Masangya along Hiwas Street, Kaunlaran Village, Malabon City on July 5, 1997.

Ramos said they had earlier traced the whereabouts of Villanueva and three other companions, but they managed to slip away.

However, at around 8 p.m. Thursday, Ramos said he received information from barangay officials that Villanueva was spotted in Dagat-Dagatan and was tailed by his men to his hideout in Bulacan. – Jerry Botial, Pete Laude