MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested Wednesday night a former police officer and one of the suspects in the Maguindanano massacre in Taguig City.
Armed with an arrest warrant issued by Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court branch 221, operatives of the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group nabbed ex-Police Officer 1 Warden Legawan.
Legawan is facing 56 counts of murder stemming from the murder of 58 people, including 32 media workers, on Nov. 23, 2009 in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao.
Reports said that Legawan was apprehended at the vicinity of Bicutan exit near Landbank, Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City.
Legawan is facing another warrant of arrest for Malversation of Government Property issued by Judge Bansawan Ibrahim, Al Haj of RTC Branch 13, Cotabato City.
Legawan, who has bounty of P250,000 for his arrest, is the 115th suspect arrested, following the capture of a former PNP officer also involved in the massacre.
There are a total of 195 suspects initially charged in court for the carnage.
Police said Legawan was cooperative at the time of his arrest, expressing willingness to be a state witness if the prosecution will allow it.