Hospital slay suspect nabbed in Tondo

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested yesterday in Tondo, Manila an alleged gun for hire who reportedly shot dead two persons in a public hospital two years ago.

Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla identified the suspect as Ernesto Bucad Jr., 34, of Permanent Housing Village in Tondo, one of Manila’s most wanted persons.

Bucad was arrested by operatives of the MPD’s District Police Intelligence Operations Unit led by Chief Inspector Fernando Opelanio on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 25 Judge Aida Rangel-Roque for murder, with no bail recommended.

Leticia Nicol, 50, identified Bucad as the man who allegedly killed her 23-year-old son, Norben. Leticia told police that on the morning of Nov. 21, 2008, her son survived Bucad’s first attack.

Three days later, Bucad reportedly barged into the recovery room of the Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital in Tondo and finished off Norben with a single shot in the head. Norben’s caretaker Rodolfo Magcaling, 37, was also shot dead by Bucad before leaving the hospital.

Leticia said she learned from Bucad himself that he was paid P20,000 by an influential person for the hit.

Opelanio said Bucad managed to be at large for almost two years due to the protection of unscrupulous policemen.