Dacer-Corbito murder case: Former copnabbed in Bulacan

MANILA, Philippines — After 22 years in hiding, a former policeman tagged in the murder of publicist Salvador ”Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito has been arrested in Pulilan, Bulacan yesterday.

Former senior police officer 1 William Reed III, 57, was arrested by joint police teams in Barangay Poblacion at around 1:10 p.m. on Sunday, according to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo.

“I am overwhelmed... that after 22 years of hiding, the accused was apprehended and the victims and their families will be catered with justice,” Estomo said in a statement.

He said the arrest was based on a warrant issued by Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 41 Judge Rodolfo Ponferrada for two counts of murder. No bail was recommended.

Dacer and Corbito were waylaid in Manila on Nov. 24, 2000. After five months, their remains were unearthed in a remote area in Indang, Cavite.

Reed was included on the list of most wanted fugitives by the Department of the Interior and Local Government. A bounty of P250,000 was offered for his arrest.

The suspect was brought to the NCRPO’s regional special operations group at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Former senator Panfilo Lacson was among those initially implicated in the murder of Dacer and Corbito.

The Court of Appeals cleared Lacson of any involvement in the Dacer-Corbito case, a decision which was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2011.