EDITORIAL - Crime does not pay

In less than a week, the biggest crime in the province of Cebu on New Year's Eve has been solved. Big thanks to the policemen in Cebu and Negros Occidental for a relentless operation in pinning down the suspect.

In a joint operation, authorities collared bank security guard Berly Tudtud in Sagay City in Negros Occidental just days after fleeing Cebu following an alleged killing spree just minutes before the New Year.

Tudtud, who was dismissed from his work, returned to Fair Bank in Daanbantayan town pretending to get something he had left. But while inside, he allegedly immediately got hold of a shotgun and opened fire at a fellow security guard, his live-in partner and a bank clerk who was working overtime during that time.

After killing the three, Tudtud then reportedly destroyed the bank's safety deposit and carted away at least P80,000. He then escaped to his native place, Sagay City, where he was arrested by pursuing policemen.

We hailed the police for the immediate capture of Tudtud. Their accomplishment would only show that no one will escape from the arm of the law as long as the authorities exert some effort against criminality.

The crime in which Tudtud was allegedly involved was a heinous one that calls for a great effort by authorities to solve. Good thing the police immediately responded and traced the suspect to his native place.

Now that the suspect is already in police custody, we do hope for a favorable judicial result so justice can finally be served to the families of the victims. This is not to say Tudtud is already guilty. He is still innocent unless proven otherwise by the court.

Still, this swift accomplishment by the police is more than just enough to remind the public that crime does not always pay. The long arm of the law is always ready to catch those who commit crimes.