Warrant served on suspect in rob-slay of lawyer, 2 cops

The Manila police finally served yesterday the arrest warrant on one of the suspects in the rob-slay of a lawyer and two policemen in Ermita last May 12.

The warrant, issued by Judge Gregorio Clemeña Jr. of the Regional Trial Court Branch 51, was served yesterday at the Quezon City Jail where Fernando Cagoco, alias Ronnel Dondon Palma, is detained.

Cagoco, who was identified by witnesses as one of five men who killed lawyer Alfredo Dy and took the P1-million withdrawn by the victim from a bank, was arrested by the Quezon City Police District in one of its anti-crime operations last Sept. 12.

Manila policemen Police Officer 3 Jose Ysmael Santos and PO2 Francisco Neri were also shot dead by the fleeing suspects. Witnesses identified the suspects through a rogue’s gallery provided by several police units.

Aside from Cagoco, the Manila police also filed robbery with three counts of homicide and two counts of physical injury against alleged gang leader Juanito Boton, a former corporal at the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army; Gilbert Collado, alias Gilbert Ellado; Junior Bonita and Arnel Rojas before the Manila prosecutor’s office.

“We expedited the request for the issuance of the warrant of arrest against Cagoco since he might be able to post bail at the Quezon City court and be on the loose once again. His crime before the Manila court is non-bailable, including that of his companions,” Chief Inspector Dominador Arevalo Jr., who heads the homicide section, said.

The Manila police failed to bring Cagoco before the Manila court, since there is already a commitment order for his detention at the Quezon City Jail.

Jail officials assured the Manila police that Cagoco will always be available for any scheduled hearing before the Manila court.