2nd ex-cop linked to Dacer, Corbito murders nabbed
A SECOND ex-policeman wanted in connection with the 2000 abduction-slay of public relations expert Salvador ‘Bubby’ Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito was caught by Philippine National Police (PNP) agents in his hiding place in Quezon City on Tuesday, the Journal Group learned yesterday.
Ex-Senior Police Officer 1 Rolando Lacasandile was arrested as a result of a PNP Intelligence Group (PNP-IG)-initiated manhunt operation targeting the country’s most wanted persons with reward money offered for their arrest by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Around 5 p.m. Tuesday, the 58-year old Lacasandile who was found using the alias ‘Rolly Villegas’ was arrested near his residence along Gregorio Araneta Avenue in Barangay Sta. Mesa Heights in Q.C., according to a report from the PNP-IG headed by Brigadier Gen. Andrew T. Cayad.
The report to PNP chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. said officers from the Regional Intelligence Unit 7 spearheaded the manhunt operation in Sta. Mesa Heights with the support of members of the PNP-IG national headquarters in Camp Crame, the National Capital Region Police Office’s Regional Special Operations Group, the Q.C. Police District and Manila Police District and the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO7) Regional Intelligence Division.
The suspect is the subject of a warrant of arrest for double murder issued by Judge Rodolfo A. Ponferrada of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 41 on May 25, 2001 with no bail recommended for his temporary liberty.
A P250,000 reward was offered by the DILG for the arrest of the suspect.
Brig. Gen. Cayad said the arrest of the suspect is part of their continuing all-out efforts to account for wanted persons in the country specifically those involved in heinous crimes.
The arrested suspect was placed under the custody of the NCRPO-RSOG under Major Gen. Jonnel C. Estomo pending his turnover to the Manila court.
On Wednesday last week, Maj. Gen. Estomo also announced the arrest of ex-SPO1 William Reed in connection with the Dacer-Corbito case.
The official said the 57-year-old suspect was tracked down in his hiding place in Barangay Poblacion in Pulilan, Bulacan past 1 p.m. last January 25 by members of the PNP-IG, the Pulilan Municipal Police Station, Regional Intelligence Unit 3 and the NCRPO-RSOG and Regional Intelligence Division.
The official commended the policemen who worked hard to track down the suspects after 22 years in hiding.
