CEBU, Philippines - After five years of hiding, the seventh most wanted person in Calatrava, Negros Occidental fell into the hands of the police after he was arrested in Asturias, Cebu yesterday morning.
Josie Lumanat, 39, was nabbed by the operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group around 5 a.m. yesterday in the house of his parents-in-law in Barangay Langub, Asturias.
Lumanat is facing murder charges with no bail recommended by the court in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
He and his cousin Dionisio Lumanat reportedly killed their neighbor, Roso Caburog, in 2009.
The Negros Oriental Provincial Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, which learned about Lumanat living in Asturias, coordinated with CIDG-7 to arrest him.
Lumanat, however, denied being involved in the crime.
He said he was only implicated since he was accompanying his cousin during the time of the incident.
He further shared that he was advised by his relatives to escape, hence transferring to Asturias.
He said he only knew of his pending warrant of arrest when the arresting officers presented it to him.
Lumanat works as a farmer in Asturias for a living. He has six children.
He is currently detained at CIDG-7 headquarters and will be brought back to Negros Occidental next week. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/NSA (FREEMAN)