Man tagged in OFW's rob-slay caught

MANILA, Philippines - The alleged gunman in the rob-slay of a seafarer in Malate, Manila last Thursday was arrested for another offense Monday night, police said yesterday.

Ronald Sevilla, 26, alias “Bunso,” was arrested by operatives of Sta. Ana police station along Pedro Gil street in Paco Monday night for concealing a fan knife. Police later confirmed that Sevilla has been the subject of a manhunt over his alleged involvement in the rob-slay of 49-year-old Edralin Amon, a third mate seaman of a foreign-based company.

“We were already on the way after being informed by our assets that our subject was spotted in the area when Sta. Ana policemen beat us to the draw. Anyway, what matters most is that the suspect has been finally arrested,” said Chief Inspector Erwin Margarejo, who heads the homicide section of the Manila Police District.

On Thursday morning, Amon was having a smoke and chatting with a male friend when he was robbed and shot by two armed men riding tandem on a motorcycle. The suspects, who wore full-face helmets, took the victim’s gold necklace with pendant and a gold bracelet.

Amon died at the Ospital ng Maynila while undergoing treatment for a gunshot wound in the temple.

The two men were identified through witnesses and footage taken by a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera installed at the main gate of the Marian Townhouse.

The footage showed the faces of the two suspects while apparently casing the victim before the incident.

A witness identified Sevilla as the gunman in a police lineup yesterday at the MPD homicide section office. However, Sevilla denied the allegations.

Margarejo said his men are closing in on Sevilla’s alleged companion.

“I am optimistic that the remaining suspect will soon be caught since we have already identified him. The solution of the crime hinged heavily on the CCTV footage of the incident,” Margarejo said.