WPD: Laguna mayor a fugitive from the law

This was how the Western Police District (WPD declared yesterday that Lumban, Laguna Mayor Reynato Macalalag, who has a standing warrant of arrest for the alleged killing of a barangay tanod in the town eight years ago, is now a fugitive from the law.

WPD director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong ordered his men to intensify the manhunt against Macalalag following an appeal from the Crusade Against Violence (CAV), the anti-crime watchdog helping the relatives of victim Alberto Quiatzon get justice.

Bulaong also warned those helping Macalalag to evade arrest that "they would also be charged for coddling a criminal."

Macalalag has a standing warrant of arrest issued by Manila Judge Romulo Lopez of the Regional Trial Court Branch 18 for the killing of Quiatzon on Nov. 20, 1995.

In a joint press conference, Bulaong and CAV president Carina Agarao vowed to help Quiatzon’s common-law wife Rosalina de Guzman.

Agarao and other CAV members presented a picture of Macalalag pasted on a white board with the caption "Most Wanted, Mayor Reynato Macalalag."

"Flight is an indication of guilt. If he is not guilty why was he trying to stop the court from pursuing the case?" Agarao asked. Agarao also asked Macalalag, being an elected government officials, to set an example to the public by surrendering and face the charges against him in the court. – Cecille Suerte Felipe