2 suspects in Quezon journalist's slay fall

Camp Vicente Lim, Laguna, Philippines – Two brothers tagged in the 2008 ambush-killing of Quezon-based journalist Bert Sison were arrested in Quezon province last Friday afternoon, authorities said.

Senior Superintendent Erickson Velasquez, Quezon police director, said suspects Mario Biscocho, 43, and his brother Michael, 26, were nabbed in their respective homes in Barangay Lutucan, Sariaya town.

Velasquez said the Biscocho brothers were held by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Virgilio Alpajora of the Lucena Regional Trial Court Branch 59.

The Biscocho brothers were tagged as the alleged killers of 60-year-old Sison, publisher of a weekly community newspaper and anchorman of the weekly “Harana” (Serenade) program aired over radio station dzAT-AM in Lucena City.

On June 30, 2008, Sison was driving his car with his daughter Liwayway in Barangay Lutucan when they were waylaid. Sison died on the spot while her daughter, who pretended to be dead, was unharmed.

Police said Michael Biscocho yielded a caliber .45 pistol loaded with nine bullets during his arrest. An additional charge of illegal possession of firearms will be filed against him.

In May 2009, police arrested a third suspect, Menandro Biscocho, who was charged with murder and attempted murder. An informant, who helped in his arrest, was given a P150,000 reward.

Media organizations in Southern Tagalog commended the police for the arrest of the Biscocho brothers. – With Michelle Zoleta