Valenzuela City Police, lead by acting chief, PSSUPT Rhoderick C. Armamento, arrested in an operation yesterday night, October 7, at the frontage of the Davao International Airport, Pascual Bernardo, Jr., alyas Ompong, the number one in the Top Ten Most Wanted Persons in the city and is also the number 1 in the Top Ten Over-all Most Wanted Persons of the Northern Police District (NPD).

 

It can be recalled that in April 2012, former Valenzuela City mayor, Sherwin T. Gatchalian, now representative of the first district of the city, offered a cash reward of Php 250,000 to anyone who can give information on whereabouts of the primary suspect to the murder of father and son, Ernesto Lunaria, 65, jeepney driver and Edgardo Lunaria, 34, last December 10, 2010 in front of a sari-sari store in Hulo, Barangay Bignay, Valenzuela City.

 

Bernardo fell to the hands of the manhunt team formed by the Valenzuela City Police through the help of an informant to VCPS Chief Station Investigation and Detective Management Branch (SIDMB) PCINSP Allan R. Ruba.  Based on the recovered identifications, the suspect has been in hiding at Samal Island, Davao del Norte under the fictitious name, Christopher Sebastian, for over a year now.

 

The suspect met with the family of the victims at the office of Valenzuela City mayor REX Gatchalian this afternoon, October 8, before his turnover to his Court of Origin for the Commitment Order and transfer to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology – Valenzuela City where he will be held without bail.  He faces two (2) counts of murder under Presiding Judge Emma C. Matammu of Regional Trial Court Branch 269, Valenzuela City.

 

Mayor REX gives on-the-spot commendation to the police officers who were part of the manhunt team that led to the arrest of the suspect.  They are:

PSSUPT Rhoderick C. Armamento

PCINSP Allan R. Ruba

SPO3 Donaldo L. Britaña

SPO2 Marcial R. Galang

PO3 Felbie L Puda

 

The reward money was also awarded to the informant.