Gunman in 2009 killing of Laguna exec arrested

LAGUNA, Philippines – The suspected triggerman in the 2009 ambush-slay of provincial board member Danny Yang and two others, including a village chief, was finally arrested in San Pablo City last Monday, police said.

Senior Superintendent Fausto Muñoz, Laguna police director, said the suspect, Jerry Araneta alias Jepoy, was immediately placed under investigation after members of Task Force Yang cornered him in his hideout in Barangay Santisimo Rosario, San Pablo City.

Muñoz said Araneta was allegedly among five armed men who ambushed Yang and his companions after attending a fiesta celebration in Barangay Bautista, also in San Pablo, on June 24, 2009.

Also killed in the attack were former Bautista village chief Manolo Barcenas and Brando de los Santos.

Two others – Jovy Lopez and Marc Edward Herrera – were wounded in the ambush.

One of the assailants was killed when Yang’s driver, Rommel Vertibo, traded shots with them.

Another attacker was wounded but managed to escape along with his three companions, Muñoz said.

Probers though have yet to establish the motive behind the ambush-slay.