Seaman nabbed for murder

MANILA, Philippines - A man who had been scheduled to board a ship next month as a seafarer was arrested Saturday for allegedly murdering a jeepney driver who made sexual advances to his wife two years ago.

Norwell Custodio, 21, was caught while visiting the house of a girl he was courting in Tondo, Manila.

Chief Inspector Dominador Arevalo Jr., who heads the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit of the Manila Police District, said witnesses identified Custodio as one of two men who shot dead jeepney driver Ernesto Mercado on April 6, 2006.

Mercado reportedly made sexual advances to Custodio’s wife during an outing two days before he was killed. Custodio beat up Mercado and reportedly threatened to kill him.

Manila Regional Trial Court Judge William Simon Peralta issued a warrant for Custodio’s arrest two years ago.

Arevalo said they are checking reports that Custodio is also wanted for two more murders. – Nestor Etolle