Suspect in killing of 3 DPWH men in Quezon arrested

MANILA, Philippines - Police yesterday arrested the prime suspect in the killing of three employees of the Department Public Works and Highways and wounding of four others in Malunay, Quezon Friday night.

Chief Superintendent James Melad, Calabarzon police director, said Rommel Rocete was arrested in Barangay 3 at around 8:15 a.m.

Melad said two witnesses positively identified Rocete, a former martial art instructor of the Police Institute Training Group in Quezon, as the one who shot dead Roland Monterey, 28; Jason Rodelas, 23; and Celso Red, 24.

Melad told The STAR the case is considered solved following the arrest of Rocete.

Zaldy Prado, 22; Leovino de Galicia, 44; Abraham Almero, 42; and Menardo Abella, 22, were wounded in the encounter.

Senior Superintendent Valeriano de Leon, Quezon police director, said the suspect told police he shot the victims’ vehicle because he was annoyed that they parked their L-300 van (SFA-586) near a store without switching off the headlights.

The suspect escaped on a motorcycle after the shooting and went into hiding for four days. – Ed Amoroso, Michelle Zoleta