'Freezer slay' suspect 2nd most wanted in NE

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines  – The arrested suspect in Laguna’s “freezer killing” has also been tagged as the second most wanted in Nueva Ecija.

Chief Superintendent Francisco Villaroman, Cagayan Valley police director, said suspect Bayani “Ben” Corpuz, who admitted killing two women in San Pablo City, Laguna recently and putting their bodies in a chest freezer, also faces cases of homicide and frustrated homicide in Nueva Ecija with the authorities there offering a P100,000 reward for his arrest.

Corpuz, 53, was arrested in Barangay Uno in San Mateo, Isabela where he, along with his family, sought refuge after the killing of Leticia Lupian and Vilma Bandiola in San Pablo City last June 22.

Corpuz worked as an all-around worker for the victims’ steel chair fabrication business. He admitted killing them out of anger for refusing to give him an advance from his salary for his grandson’s medical needs.

Meanwhile, San Pablo City Mayor Vicente Amante yesterday handed a P300,000 reward to an informant who helped in Corpuz’s arrest.

Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, Laguna provincial director, said the informant saw a picture of Corpuz in a television news report, after which he sent a text message to the Laguna police on Corpuz’s presence in Barangay Uno.

Corpuz’s arrest was the second sensational crime apprehension in Isabela after Arnel Buenaflor, the alleged gunman in the so-called “photograph murder” of Caloocan City barangay councilman Reynaldo Dagsa, was nabbed earlier this year.

Buenaflor was accidentally photographed aiming the gun by Dagsa himself while he and his family were celebrating New Year outside their home. 

The picture enabled authorities to easily identify him that led to his eventual arrest in Barangay Kalabasa, Aurora town last Jan. 6 or barely a week after the incident.   

– With Ed Amoroso