Man wanted for murder falls

CEBU, Philippines - A 31-year-old man wanted for his alleged involvement in a murder case 12 years ago fell into the hands of the police yesterday morning in Sitio Decyam, Barangay Maghaway, Talisay City.

Police arrested Raymund Rosende, a native of Daanbantayan town in northern Cebu who previously lived in Barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City before moving to his present residence in Maghaway where he works as a food vendor.

Police swooped down on Rosende in his house, armed with an arrest warrant signed by Lapu-Lapu City RTC Branch 27 Judge Toribio Quiwag. He did not resist arrest.

According to Senior Inspector Alcon Escosura, station chief of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Station 4, Rosende is one of those in the watchlist of the city police for his alleged implication in the death of a certain “Gilbert,” his neighbor in Marigondon, sometime in 2005.

Yesterday, he denied these allegations.

Rosende told reporters he did not participate in Gilbert’s killing, saying it was his two companions who committed the crime.

He said he was not aware that his two companions had actually killed Gilbert as he only served as a “lookout guy.”

He added that Gilbert’s mother was allegedly indebted to one of his two companions, although he could not elaborate what the debt was.

Reporters asked Rosende on the whereabouts of these two persons, but he said he did not receive any updates from them since the incident.

He also declined to name them.  Rosende is now detained at the LCPO holding cell.

The court has recommended no bail for his case. (FREEMAN)