Man tagged in student's rape, murder caught

MANILA, Philippines - The prime suspect in the rape and killing of a nursing student five years ago in Valenzuela City was arrested in Bulacan Wednesday.

Chief Inspector Danilo Bugay, Valenzuela City police intelligence and investigation branch chief, identified the suspect as Reynaldo Reyes, 39, the 10th most wanted person of the local police.

A team led by Senior Police Officer 3 Ildefonso Orig, chief of the Valenzuela City police warrant section, caught Reyes at his hiding place in Barangay Ulinao, San Rafael at around 5 p.m.

Reyes is wanted by the police for the rape and murder of nursing student Marilou Gayroman at the victim’s rented room in Barangay Marulas, Valenzuela City in August 2005, Bugay said.

Bugay said Reyes disappeared after the incident and continued to avoid arrest by hiding in different places.

On Wednesday, Bugay received a tip from a concerned individual claiming that Reyes was in San Rafael, Bulacan.

Orig and his men, armed with a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Maria Nena Santos of Valenzuela City Regional Trial Court Branch 171, raided Reyes’ lair in coordination with the Bulacan police officers.

Bugay said Reyes tried to flee by jumping out of the window but he landed in front of the police officers who surrounded his hiding place.

Bugay said they were still trying to determine yesterday reports of Reyes’ involvement in other murder cases in Valenzuela and Bulacan.