Escaped murder suspect recaptured

CEBU, Philippines -  The murder suspect who escaped from his police escorts by jumping off a ship in Romblon last Tuesday night said he managed to escape while his escorts were asleep.

Ronald Merino arrived in Cebu City Wednesday evening and was rearrested by the National Bureau of Investigation-7 after he was rescued by the Super Ferry Shuttle 8 while floating in the waters off Romblon.

Merino, a native of Hilongos, Leyte, was arrested in San Miguel, Bulacan, last week by virtue of a warrant of arrest for allegedly being behind  the massacre of a councilman and his two sons in Leyte.

The suspect told reporters that the two policemen who were escorting him from Manila to Leyte via Cebu fell asleep in the ship, which gave him the opportunity to free himself from his handcuffs.  The suspect then put on a life jacket and leaped off the ship in the waters between Roxas City and Masbate. 

The ship, the M/V Princess of the South, reportedly turned back to try to rescue Merino but was forced to resume its voyage after a futile three-hour search.

It was the Super Ferry Shuttle 8 that found him floating off Romblon.

Leyte Mayor Jose Emery Roble accompanied the NBI-7 when they fetched him from Pier 8 in Cebu City.

Roble said he will have the two policemen investigated to determine any possible lapses they committed in escorting the suspect.

Merino is reportedly one of the four suspects who shot and killed barangay Imelda councilman Vicente Lor and two sons aged four and six last May.   (FREEMAN)