Manhunt in Agustin slay called off

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Police called off the manhunt against two remaining suspects in the killing of Aurora community journalist Philip Agustin, officials said yesterday.

"Task Force Agustin" chief Senior Superintendent Perfecto Palad said the manhunt had been temporarily called off since there were no fresh reports on the whereabouts of the two suspects Nilo "Boyet" Morete and Emmanuel Alday, who were last seen in Barangay Kuyudan in Mayantoc, Tarlac.

"We’ve pulled out our personnel except for a few undercover cops that will monitor the area," Palad said.

"I have withdrawn my men because of bad weather that has exposed them for days to rain and heat, but we are not giving up efforts to track down the suspects," he said.

Police have provided communication equipment to some residents in the area to enable them to immediately report any sightings of the suspects.

Palad said the duo might still be in the mountains in the area of Mayantoc at the boundary of Tarlac and Zambales. "They have no cash. By now, they must be going hungry," he added.

The manhunt was suspended a day after Dingalan, Aurora Mayor Jaime Ylarde appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) decrying what he called "trial by publicity" after reports linked him to the Agustin murder. — Ric Sapnu, Ding Cervantes