Suspect in Customs exec’s ambush nabbed

MANILA, Philippines — Police have arrested the alleged gunman who killed an official of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in an ambush in Manila.

The assailant, whose identity was withheld, was tagged in the killing of Eudes Nerpio, BOC senior appraiser at the Manila International Container Port, on Jan. 7.

According to Manila Police District director Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco, the suspect was nabbed by the Customs police on Jan. 27 and turned over to MPD custody.

Francisco said the suspect yielded a gun and a hand grenade.

Aside from murder charges, police said a complaint for illegal possession of a firearm and explosive would be filed against the suspect.

Probers said they are checking if Nerpio’s assailant could be the same person responsible for the attack on BOC assistant section chief Ryan Difuntorum, who survived an ambush last month.

“The bullet cartridges used in the attacks on Nerpio and Difuntorum came from the same firearm,” Francisco said.

The MPD is also looking into the killing of Gil Manlapaz Jr., 47, Customs information and technology operator.

Manlapaz is the latest victim of a series of ambuscades targeting BOC officials and employees reportedly on the “hit list” for their alleged involvement in corruption.

Francisco said they found similarities in the pattern of killings of BOC personnel, but these “are not conclusive and probers should gather more evidence.”