2 boys nabbed for Caloocan informant's killing

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested two 17-year-old boys after witnesses tagged them as among those who gunned down a police informant in Caloocan City Friday night.

City police investigation head Chief Inspector Rodrigo Soriano said the boys, identified only as Nil and Abel, and four others allegedly murdered Rowena Andres, 38, a resident of Barangay 118, at around 9:45 p.m.

Soriano said the victim was a police “asset” who sent to jail several members of a criminal gang maintaining a lair at the BMBA Compound on 3rd Avenue.

SPO4 Bobby Mario Egera said Andres was walking home with her friend, Marywinlove Castro, 34, when they met the boys’ gang, which included Noriel Badilla, Rafael Nocom, and two others identified only as Dennis and Esel.

Egera said Andres tried to run away but was chased by the suspects.

Badilla allegedly shot her with a .38 caliber revolver in the back. When Andres fell down, Badilla shot her in the stomach as he approached her, then finished her off with another bullet in the right temple.

The suspects fled after the incident but police were able to apprehend Abel and Nil in follow-up operations. The other suspects remain at large.

Interviewed in his cell, Abel said Badilla, alias Totoy Ampatuan, is the alleged leader of their eight-man group, whose members sell drugs in their area.

He said Badilla targeted Andres after his older brother, Jet-Jet Badilla, was arrested two weeks ago for drug pushing. He accused Andres of informing the police of their illegal activity.

Soriano confirmed the recent arrest of Badilla’s brother for drug pushing, and that the brother remains in jail without bail.

According to Soriano, Badilla was arrested at least twice for illegal possession of firearms and for drug-related offenses and is out on bail.

Caloocan City police chief Senior Superintendent Jude Santos directed his men to arrest Badilla and the other suspects.