Suspect in Ilocos Norte broadcaster's slay falls

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union, Philippines – The suspected triggerman in the killing of a broadcaster in Laoag City last June was arrested by operatives of the Ilocos Norte police in a hotel in Baguio City before dawn Thursday.

Ilocos police director Chief Superintendent Orlando Mabutas, Ilocos regional police director, said the suspect, Leonardo Banaag Jr., who hails from Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, was arrested by a police team led by Senior Superintendent Marlou Chan, Ilocos Norte police director, at the Summer Place Hotel.

Banaag was tagged as the gunman in the killing of Jovelito Agustin, a broadcaster and announcer of dzJC Aksyon Radyo-Laoag, who was attacked while on his way home together with his nephew Joseph Agustin on the night of June 15 this year.

Banaag, listed as one of Ilocos Norte’s 10 most wanted persons, was held by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Charles Aguilar of the Laoag City Regional Trial Court Branch 12 for murder and attempted murder, and another arrest warrant issued by Judge Francisco Quilala of Laoag RTC Branch 14 for illegal recruitment.  – With Cesar Ramirez