PNP nabs Masbate broadcaster's killer

The Philippine National Police on Friday announced the capture of a ranking communist rebel suspected of killing a radio broadcaster in Masbate.

The PNP Task Force Usig said authorities this week nabbed Ruel Vargas for the murder of Masbate broadcaster Nelson Nadura in 2003.

Authorities said Vargas has been listed in police records as a member of the Executive Committee of the Masbate Provincial Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army.

Vargas, who yielded a fragmentation grenade, was arrested in a police-military operation during the week  in Barangay Lanang, Aroroy, Masbate, authorities added.

Police said Vargas has a standing warrant of arrest for murder and rebellion cases issued by Judge Maximino Ables of Regional Trial Court Branch 47 of Masbate City. He has a bounty of P150,000 for his capture.

Police said Vargas is the  principal suspect in the assassination of Nadura, 42, who was gunned down Dec. 2, 2003 while leaving the DYME studio in Masbate City after the broadcaster's morning program.

Nadura was himself a former NPA member who surrendered in 1998 and was eventually granted amnesty by government. At the time of his death, Nadura was president of the Union of Print and Broadcast Journalists of Masbate. - Dennis Carcamo