Fugitive falls

CEBU, Philippines -  A person who went into hiding for seven years finally fell into the hands of the police yesterday morning in his residence in Barangay Pitogo in Consolacion town.

Ritchie Malasado,37, widower, was served with a warrant of arrest  signed by Judge Teresita Galanida for a murder case he committed seven years ago. No bail was recommended for his temporary liberty.

It was learned that on April 16, 2007, the suspect and his brother Florencio Malasado, who was first arrested last year, went to  Sitio San Antonio in Barangay Jagobia, Mandaue City to return the illegal drugs that they had purchased as it was allegedly adulterated with salt.

When they saw the seller Noel Aumentado alias Tawi , they immediately shot him in the head causing his instantaneous  death.

During Ritchie's arrest the police were also able to seize from him an unlicensed a .45 STI caliber pistol with five live ammo.

During interrogation P/Supt. Josefino Ligan, chief of the City Intelligence Branch, said the suspect told them that when his younger brother was first arrested last year, he thought that he was already free of charges.

This prompted him to go home in his residence in Barangay Pitogo, believing that the murder case was only filed against his brother.

"Didto ni siya nagtago-tago sa Tuburan human sa hitabo niadtong 2007, apan sa dihang nadakpan iyang igsoon last year, nagtuo nga libre na siya ug nagtuo pud ni siya nga wa siya's apil sa kiha maong niuli na siya sa ilaha," Ligan said.

The warrant of arrest will be formally returned to the issuing court for the issuance of a commitment order against the suspect to the Mandaue City Jail pending the hearing of his case.

Another case of illegal possession of firearms and live ammunition will also be filed against the accused who is also believed to be involved in illegal drug trafficking and gun-for-hire activity.  (FREEMAN)