Cops arrest 2nd suspect in Malabon trader’s slay

The second of two suspects in the killing of a fish trader in Malabon City early Sunday was arrested by police at his house just a few hours later that same day even as the wounded officer, who shot dead the former’s cohort, was commended twice for his bravery.

Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil, Northern Police District (NPC) director, identified the arrested suspect as Mercader Lara, 26, a resident of Navotas.

Bataoil said Lara was arrested in a follow-up operation some 15 hours after the shooting took place at the Malabon Consignacion Market in Barangay Tañong at 3:45 last Sunday. At 7 p.m. the same day, Lara fell in the hands of authorities.

The incident resulted in the death of Pablito Dionisio Sr., 54, owner of the Toreng 1 Consignation on Estrella street in Barangay Tañong, Malabon and a resident of Barangay Navotas West in Navotas.

Bataoil said Lara was tagged by witnesses as Sueno’s companion when they shot Dionisio while selling fish at the market. The trader died on the way to the hospital.

Senior Superintendent Moises "Kamagong" Guevarra, Malabon City police chief, said Lara was a cousin of Ronnie Sueno, 30, who was killed during a shootout with SPO4 Leopoldo Reyes, a Malabon City police intelligence agent.

Reyes shot dead Sueno while on a surveillance assignment in the area. He witnessed the shooting and proceeded to engage the suspects.

The officer hit Sueno three times in the body killing him instantly while Lara managed to flee.

Reyes was also hit in the left arm and left foot and was taken to the Chinese General Hospital.

Lara, a fisherman, claimed he was not at the fish market when Dionisio was killed.

"I was not in the area when Dionisio was killed. I don’t even know him," he told The STAR.

Inspector Jorge Tabayag, Malabon City police chief investigator, said that during a confrontation at the hospital at 8:30 a.m. yesterday, the officer positively identified Lara as one of the attackers.

Tabayag said that a case of murder and frustrated murder would be filed against the suspect.

Bataoil also recommended to Metro police chief Director Reynaldo Varilla the awarding of the "Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting" and the "Medalya ng Kagitingan" to Reyes.

The NPD chief visited Reyes at the Chinese General Hospital where he delivered his congratulatory remarks, citing Reyes for his bravery.

Bataoil had ordered a round the clock operation that resulted in Lara’s apprehension by Malabon police operatives.