Farmer gets P.9-M reward for capture of top kidnap suspect

LEGAZPI CITY — A 35-year-old farmer from San Pascual, Masbate received the other day a cash reward of P900,000 for tipping off police on the whereabouts of Wil—mor Catamco, listed as the country’s No. 5 kidnapping suspect, leading to his arrest last Dec. 2.

Wearing a ski mask, baseball cap and sunglasses to hide his identity, the police informer got the check from Chief Superintendent Jaime Lasar, Bicol police director, during simple rites at Camp General Simeon Ola here.

Cotamco was a former Army corporal who had gone AWOL (absence without official leave.) There was a warrant for his arrest issued by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Ma. Theresa Yadao.

The informer recalled seeing Cotamco’s picture on television, along with those of eight other kidnapping suspects.

"I could not believe it because I saw him drinking with his friends in a beach resort there," said the informer, who immediately relayed the information to the San Pascual police.