Caloocan murder suspect falls after six years in hiding

The Caloocan City police finally arrested a murder suspect who went into hiding for more than six years during an operation in Tondo, Manila.

Caloocan City police chief Superintendent William Macavinta identified the suspect as Cresencio Neri Jr., 51, a resident of Maypajo, Caloocan City.

Neri, ranked 12th in Caloocan City police’s most wanted persons list, was arrested at around 3 p.m. at his safehouse on Hermosa Street in Tondo.

Neri is facing murder charge for the killing of Alexander Nicolas on the night of Sept. 12, 2001 in Sitio San Juan, Maypajo. The suspect, using a .45 caliber pistol, shot Nicolas several times, killing the victim on the spot, police said.

On Tuesday, SPO4 Pablo Temena Jr., chief of the Caloocan City police warrant section, received reports that Neri was seen roaming on Hermosa Street in Tondo.

Armed with an arrest warrant issued by Caloocan City Regional Trial Court Branch 128 Judge Silvestre Bello, Temena led his men to the area, which resulted in the suspect’s arrest.

The Caloocan police were set to turn Neri over to the custody of the local Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) yesterday. – Pete Laude