‘Brains’ in NCMH chief’s slay nabbed

MANILA, Philippines — Police have arrested the alleged mastermind in the murder of National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) director Roland Cortez and his driver Ernesto de la Cruz in July last year.

Brig. Gen. Antonio Yarra, director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), announced yesterday the arrest of Clarita Avila, 65, former chief of the NCMH’s Administrative Support Service.

Yarra said police apprehended Avila at her house in Barangay Silangan, San Mateo, Rizal on June 25.

Avila was arrested based on a warrant for murder issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 97.

One of the alleged gunmen, George Serrano, 57, turned himself in to the QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit on July 2.

Probers said the killing stemmed from the anti-corruption probes initiated by Cortez at the mental hospital.

Cortez alleged that Avila misused funds for the food, shelter, clothing and medication of NCMH patients.

Cortez had filed a complaint for graft and malversation against Avila before the Office of the Ombudsman. He also transferred her to the NCMH drug rehabilitation facility in Las Piñas.

Avila allegedly orchestrated Cortez’s murder with the help of Serrano, her bodyguard, and five other suspects.

The other alleged gunman was Harly Pagarigan. The other suspects accused of hiding the vehicle used in the murder were Sonny Mitra, Edison Riego, Ma. Christina de la Cruz and Albert Eugenio.

Police arrested Eugenio last year based on a warrant issued by the court for a separate murder case.