Suspect in slay of Valenzuela exec’s kin nabbed

MANILA, Philippines - A man wanted for killing a relative of Valenzuela City Vice Mayor Eric Martinez was arrested in Pampanga Sunday morning.

Leonardo Batac, the city’s fourth most wanted fugitive, escaped after robbing and killing Unciano Ramirez in Barangay Bagbaguin last April.

A team headed by Chief Inspector Allan Ruba tracked Batac to a remote fishing community in Sasmuan and served the arrest warrant for robbery with homicide issued by Valenzuela Regional Trial Court Branch 270 Judge Evangeline Francisco, according to city police chief Senior Superintendent Rhoderick Armamento.

He said Batac worked as a houseboy for Ramirez for a week before he and a companion, identified only as Owen, reportedly robbed and killed him.

The two men allegedly took Ramirez’s .45 caliber pistol, eight gold rings, at least five wristwatches and P300,000, Armamento said.