Fugitive ex-Ecija mayor hiding in Metro condo?

GAPAN CITY , Philippines – A former three-term mayor of this city who has gone into hiding since last February after a warrant for his arrest was issued by a Manila court in connection with the raid on a cockpit arena here six years ago, may be somewhere in Metro Manila.

This was disclosed by the family of Cristina Pascual whose sons Erickson and Ebertson were killed in the cockpit attack.

Emerson Pascual, brother of the two victims, told reporters that they have received information that former mayor Ernesto Natividad, the alleged brains in the killing of his two siblings, is hiding in a condominium in the metropolis.

“He’s just in Manila based on a highly reliable information we received,” Emerson said of the former mayor.

Natividad, his late brother Romeo, Ricardo Peralta and 16 others were placed on a hold-departure order (HDO) by the Bureau of Immigration last February on orders of Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 8 Judge Felixberto Olalia Jr.

The Pascual family has raised a P1 million reward each for the arrest of Natividad and Peralta. 

Natividad was mayor of this city for three terms from 2001 to 2010. In May 2010, he fielded his wife Baby to succeed him but she lost to his former ally, incumbent Mayor Christian Tinio.  

Others in the HDO were civilians Rommel Baying, Jenny Canlas, Jonathan Cartujano, Dalia Cruz, Romeo Dacles, Jovert Dumlao, Frangilico Gerona, Randy Gerona, Elly Macariola, Dennis Matias, Crisanto Mateo, Sienna Quiambao, Cristina Gerardo Peratel, Lloyd Perez, Randy Puno and Lorenzo Rueda.

Romeo Peralta died while in hiding while Dacles was caught in Muntinlupa City two months ago.