Samar’s 3rd most wanted man falls

MANILA, Philippines - The third most wanted person in Samar, who was tagged in a murder a year ago, was arrested by policemen in Quezon City on Wednesday afternoon.

Valentino Amante, 21, was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Norma Megenio-Cardenas of the Regional Trial Court Branch 19 in Northern Samar, said Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Senior Superintendent Richard Albano.

According to Albano, Amante fled from Samar and sought refuge among relatives in Barangay Bago Bantay, where he had been working as a construction worker for the past three months.

Superintendent Pedro Sanchez, commander of the QCPD Station 2, said Amante was tagged in the killing of fisherman Roleto Diaz on Feb. 16, 2012.

QCPD deputy director for administration Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said Diaz was allegedly killed by Amante and his brother Embong during a drunken attack in Barangay Bakiwalo, Mondragon town.

The suspects allegedly mutilated the body, packed it inside a plastic bag then disposed of it, Pagdilao said.

According to Sanchez, the father of the brothers, who worked in the copra industry, had reportedly been at odds with the victim.

Embong remains at large, he added.