Suspect in Batangas councilor's slay nabbed

BATANGAS, Philippines – A former barangay councilor of Laguna who was tagged as the alleged killer of a municipal councilor in this province three years ago was arrested in a joint operation of the police and Naval Intelligence Unit in San Pablo City yesterday morning, authorities said.

Chief Inspector Jay Agcaoili, Batangas chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said the arrested suspect, Ceferino Atienza, 55, was tagged as the suspect in the killing of councilor Adolfo Malipol of Sto. Tomas town on Jan. 25, 2009.

Authorities said Atienza was also the leader of the Ceferino Dimas gun-for-hire gang reportedly behind killings in Sto. Tomas and neighboring areas such as Alaminos town and San Pablo City, both in Laguna.

Police said Atienza tried to resist arrest by pulling out a caliber .45 pistol from his waist but was immediately subdued by the arresting team, which carried a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Arcadio Manigbas of Regional Trial Court Branch 6 in Tanauan City, Batangas.– With Ed Amoroso