Suspect in photojournalist’s slay nabbed in Caloocan

The alleged triggerman in the murder of tabloid photojournalist Prudencio "Dick" Melendres in Malabon City last week was arrested during a follow-up operation last Friday in Caloocan City.

Northern Police District (NPD) director Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil identified the suspect as Roberto Lopez, 36, a plumber and a resident of Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan City.

A murder charge was immediately filed against Lopez at the Malabon City prosecutor’s office. Fiscal Ojer Pacis recommended no bail for his temporary liberty.

Malabon City police chief Senior Superintendent Moises "Kamagong" Guevarra said that Lopez was arrested at around 8:40 a.m. in Dagat-Dagatan after a two-day stakeout.

"A witness pointed to him as the gunman," Guevarra said.

The suspect is a cousin of Antonio Lopez, the kumpadre and neighbor of Melendres, who was earlier invited by the police for questioning (but later released) after his name was included in the victim‘s letter as one of the likely persons who might hurt him.

A week before he was murdered, Melendres prepared a letter addressed to Guevarra, Bataoil and former NPD intelligence chief and now Marikina City police chief Superintendent Sotero Ramos Jr.

Melendres told his wife Ma. Liberty, 38, to give the letter to the police officers if something happens to him.

Melendres was gunned down early in the morning last Monday a few meters away from his house in Barangay Tonsuya, Malabon City. He succumbed to three gunshot wounds in the face, chest and abdomen.

"I could not think of individuals who would kill my brother except those he listed in his letter," Elpidio Melendres, the victim’s older brother told The STAR.

He said Melendres could have offended individuals involved in illegal activities in their area, which his brother, as a village officer, was trying to solve.

Sources said illegal power and water connections protected by some unscrupulous individuals in the barangay in exchange for a large amount of money is a contentious issue in the area.

Another suspect named in Melendres letter, a certain Chief Marco, a neighbor, disappeared after the incident.

Bataoil yesterday ordered Task Force Usig head Senior Superintendent Constante "Junboy" Azares, and NPD intelligence and investigation division chief Superintendent Jimili Macaraeg to "solve Melendres" murder within 72 hours."

Melendres, a cousin of another slain photojournalist Roberto Orsolino, will be buried at 2 p.m. today at the Tugatog public cemetery, also in Malabon.

According to Elpidio, Orsolino’s case and that of his brother were closely related.

Even with the weight of three cases of mediamen’s killings now off his back, Bataoil said he is not easing up on his anti-crime drive.

"There are still many things to accomplish like the arrest of the remaining suspects. I would like to see them all behind bars," he said.