Alleged hired killer caught in Caloocan

MANILA, Philippines - An alleged member of a gun-for-hire syndicate, tagged as the prime suspect in the killing of a barangay chairman in Meycauayan, Bulacan in June, was arrested in Caloocan City Saturday.

Danilo Lusong, alias Ronaldo Feliciano, is wanted for the killing of chairman Lauro Bartolo last June 17 as well as for murder and attempted murder in Valenzuela City and rape and theft in Manila, said Director Leonardo Espina, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Espina said the local governments of Meycauayan and Valenzuela offered P150,000 and P500,000, respectively, as rewards for Lusong’s capture.

Lusong is involved in robbery, carjacking and gun-for-hire activities, Espina said in a statement.

Superintendent Ronald Lee, chief of the NCRPO’s regional police intelligence and operations unit (RPIOU), said Lusong had been a target of their intensified operation since July but he was always one step ahead of pursuing policemen.

A record check conducted by Lee showed that Lusong raped a relative in Manila and reportedly killed Ronald Marinas and Albert Marquez in Valenzuela.

Lee said Lusong would be turned over to the custody of various courts where he is facing charges.