Suspected gunman in scribe's slay falls

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested the suspected gunman in the killing of mediaman Philip Agustin in Dingalan, Aurora four years ago.

Authorities said the suspect, Nilo Morete, was nabbed by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Jansen Rodriguez of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 6 for the murder of Agustin. A reward of P140,000 was offered for his arrest.

The Philippine National Police initially scheduled a press conference to present Morete but later cancelled it for unknown reasons.

Morete was cornered in his hideout in Mabalacat, Pampanga on Wednesday by operatives of the Central Luzon Regional Intelligence Office.

Morete, his relative Reynalo Morete, the self-confessed lookout; and Manuel Alday were charged for Agustin’s killing.

Agustin, publisher of Starline Times Recorder, was gunned down shortly before midnight on May 10, 2005 in the house of his daughter, Roseville Cruz, in Barangay Paltic in Dingalan, Aurora.

The gunman shot Agustin, 54, in the left ear through a window and then fled on a motorcycle.

In July 2006, the Supreme Court ordered the trial to be transferred from Baler RTC Branch 66 to the Manila RTC. – With Crestelle Pedrosa and Andrea Valino