Suspect in diver’s slay not a licensed guard

MANILA, Philippines - The suspect in the killing of American diver Matthew Caldwell in Las Piñas City is not a licensed security guard, a police official said yesterday. 

The name of Ericson Mendoza Blacquio does not appear in the roster of licensed security guards of the Philippine National Police’s security licensing office, according to Las Piñas police chief Senior Superintendent Adolfo Samala.

Caldwell, an auxiliary member of the Philippine Coast Guard, helped in the search and retrieval operations of the plane carrying interior secretary Jesse Robredo that crashed in the waters of Masbate last year.

He was allegedly shot by Blacquio, security guard of Hamilton Heights in Barangay Talon 5, following a heated argument last Thursday.

Chief Inspector Giovanni Martinez, head of the Las Piñas police investigation division, said the homeowners’ association hired Blacquio through the Internet.

Murder charges have been filed against Blacquio.