Key suspect in ambush of 6 Japanese nabbed

The prime suspect in the failed ambush of six Japanese engineers in Cebu City last Feb. 22, was finally arrested last Thursday afternoon after eluding police dragnets for more than four months, authorities announced yesterday.

Suspect Alejo Cabulao Abellana, along with two unidentified companions, was the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by Cebu City Regional Trial Court Judge Anacleto Caminade, for attempted murder, according to Chief Superintendent Avelino Razon, Central Visayas police director.

Abellana was arrested last Thursday afternoon in Santa Lucia, Bulacao in Toledo City, Cebu by intelligence operatives of the regional police led by Superintendent Jonathan Miano.

Police said Abellana and his two companions waylaid a two-vehicle convoy of the Japanese engineers in Saint Jude Acres in Barangay Bulalacao, Cebu City on the night of Feb. 22.

Angered by the ambush, the Japanese government threatened to pull out the Japanese contractors working on the Metro Cebu Development Plan (MCDP) project.

With the arrest of Avellana, a known toughie in the Saint Jude Acres neighborhood, police ruled out the involvement of communist rebels in the failed slay try. – Jaime Laude