Village head's cousin charged for cop's slay

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Police have filed criminal charges against a cousin of a barangay chairman in Calamba City for the robbery-slay of a female police officer and the wounding of her companion last April 22.

Senior Superintendent Christopher Laxa, Region 4-A chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said charges of robbery with homicide and frustrated homicide were filed against Marlon Malacaman, cousin of barangay chairman Romy Nido, and two still unidentified companions for fatally shooting Inspector Ludivina Guinauli and wounding PO3 Michael Barnuevo after robbing them of P2.2 million they had just withdrawn from the bank.

“Even if we have identified the culprits and the case has been filed, we consider the case not totally close because the gunmen are still at large, but we will never stop hunting them,” said Superintendent Romano Cardiño, head of Task Force Ludivina.

Cardiño said Malacaman’s gang was also tagged in the killing of gas station supervisor Frederick Valencia last March 9. – Ed Amoroso