Suspect in radioman’s slay arrested

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – After nine years, one of the suspects in the killing of a radio broadcaster in South Cotabato was arrested here.

Servando Servano Jr., 62, was caught Friday by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the local police at a public terminal in Barangay Ungka, Jaro district.

Servano, a resident of Polomolok, South Cotabato, ranked fifth in the list of most wanted persons in Region 12.  A P140,000 reward had been offered for his capture.

Servano was charged for the murder of Rolando Morales of dwMD Radio Mindanao Network-South Cotabato in July 2005, according to CIDG investigation division chief Superintendent Marlon Tayaba.

Servano hid in Bayawan, Negros Oriental after the killing. In 2012, he sought shelter with his “brothers” in a religious sect, the Knights of the Holy Cross of Jesus, based in Barangay Balibago, Jaro.

Tayaba said the suspect had been staying with Roy Lopez in Maribong village in Lambunao, Iloilo.

Lopez is president of the town’s Association of Barangay Captains.

“Apparently, his brothers knew about his case,” Tayaba said.

Morales was the sixth journalist killed in 2005. He died from 15 gunshot wounds in an attack by eight motorcycle-riding men in Polomolok town.