Manila cop tracks down, arrests slay suspect

MANILA, Philippines - A Manila policeman single-handedly hunted down one of the city’s most wanted persons and arrested the fugitive in San Pedro, Laguna Monday night.

Reagan Altasin, 29, of Pandacan, Manila, has a standing warrant of arrest issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 26 Judge Silvino Panfilo Jr. for allegedly shooting to death his uncle in August 2009, according to Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla.

Altasin reportedly eluded authorities by moving from one place to another, including hiding in the provinces, Rongavilla added.

MPD’s warrant section head Chief Inspector Mario Magno specifically asked Senior Police Officer 3 Virgo Villareal to hunt down the elusive suspect following Rongavilla’s directive to arrest persons with warrants.

For more than two months, Villareal checked Altasin’s whereabouts through his network of informants until the suspect was spotted in San Pedro, Laguna.

After coordinating with the San Pedro police, Villareal and his informant waited for Altasin, who was earlier spotted near a fastfood restaurant in the town plaza.

Villareal, however, made the mistake of grabbing Altasin, who fought back and tried to reach out for the policeman’s firearm.

Villareal succeeded in pinning Altasin down and putting handcuffs on the suspect.

“I would risk my life and limbs in the performance of my duty to put criminals behind bars,” said Villareal, a recipient of several awards for arresting 132 suspected criminals since 1997. This achievement earned him the moniker “MPD’s Criminal Hunter.”