Suspected killer of Bicol broadcaster arrested

LEGAZPI CITY — Elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested the suspected killer of radioman Rowell Endrinal here yesterday morning.

The suspect, Clarito Arizobal Jr., 38, carried a P250,000 prize on his head, being the most wanted man in Masbate and the ninth in the province. He faces charges of robbery in band and murder.

Superintendent Benito Estipona, CIDG-Bicol chief, said Arizobal’s arrest was the result of a three-day surveillance based on a tip that he was working as a roomboy in a lodging house in Barangay Arimbay here.

Confirming the information, the CIDG fielded a female agent to pose as a guest and seek Arizobal’s assistance in buying goods from the store of the nearby Shell gasoline station.

While Arizobal was waiting on a motorcycle for the agent to return, CIDG personnel collared him. He did not resist the arrest.

Arizobal, now detained at Camp Ola here for tactical interrogation, reportedly admitted that he is "Boy Zapanta," but denied that he was involved in the Endrinal killing.

The radioman was gunned down a few meters away from his house in Barangay Oro Site here on Feb. 11 last year.

Endrinal’s widow Mina said she was happy about Arizobal’s arrest.

Endrinal’s two children, however, told The STAR that they would be happier if Arizobal is positively identified by the witnesses to their father’s killing.

Investigation showed that Endrinal was shot point-blank by a lone gunman who had at least two companions who served as lookouts.