PIKIT, North Cotabato — The long arm of the law has finally caught up with a man whom police said fired a rifle grenade inside the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) here that left three dead in October last year.
Senior Inspector Sindatu Karim, Pikit PNP chief, identified the suspect as Mastur Edu Akil, who was arrested in a safe house in Barangay Poblacion Pikit 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Karim said a tipster informed the police about the presence of Akil in a house in Barangay Poblacion. He then formed an arresting team along with members of the military to serve the warrant of arrest for Akil who was stunned and did not resist arrest. His companion managed to escape using a motorbike.
Karim said aside from the charges of multiple murder and and frustrated murder, Akil is also facing several warrants of arrest for murder, robbery and kidnapping.
“We have been hunting him down for so long, we missed him several times but last night was the end of the road for him,” Karim said.
Karim said Akil is the leader of a local syndicate engaged in gun for hire and robbery with kidnapping. Akil, now detained at Pikit PNP lock up cell, refused to issue any statement.
Killed in the bombing that shocked the UCCP Church were government nurse Felomina Ferolin, 54 and Gina Gabilona, 39, teacher. Both died hours after the blast from M-79 grenade launcher. The third victim Virginia Manolid, 63, also a teacher, expired a week later.
Karim, quoting witnesses said investigators found that driver of motorbike used by the gunman who fired M-79 launcher toward the Church had been identified but remained at large. (pna)
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