Informant in kidnap, slay case gets P.5-million reward

MANILA, Philippines - The Calabarzon police handed out the other day a P500,000 reward to a civilian informant who played a key role in the arrest of a former US Navy man facing a kidnapping with homicide case in Quezon City.

The suspect, Onofre Surat Jr., alias Jun, was listed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as one of the top 10 most wanted persons in the country, said Chief Superintendent Perfecto Palad, Calabarzon police director.

Wearing a blue bandana to cover his face, the informant received the cash reward from Palad at the Calabarzon police headquarters at Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba, Laguna.

He said Surat was tagged as the mastermind in the kidnapping and killing of Mark Harris Bacalla, a 23-year-old son of a member of the judiciary, on May 2, 2001.

Surat went into hiding after the crime was committed.

After several hearings, Judge Vivencio Baclig of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 76 issued a warrant for Surat’s arrest.

An informant led the Calabarzon police to Surat at the Cainta Junction in Rizal last Nov. 30.

Surat is now detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.

“The PNP leadership assures all civilians who will cooperate to resolve a crime that they will be given the right reward and recognition,” Palad said. – Non Alquitran