Suspect in killing of Cotabato agri officer nabbed

KIDAPAWAN CITY – Police here on Monday arrested the prime suspect in the killing of the municipal agriculturist of Arakan, North Cotabato, in November last year, after a tipster informed authorities about his whereabouts.

Police identify the suspect as Caesar Mangawan alias Boy Dawag, an alleged gun-for-hire who has been involved in several other crimes in the past.

Mangawan, considered as the most wanted person in Arakan, is the prime suspect in the killing of Arakan municipal agriculturist Edgar Arana on November 18, 2017.

Senior Inspector Jun Napat, officer-in-charge of the Arakan Police, said the suspect is also involved in robbery by band with two homicide cases under Criminal Case Number 4198-2017.

The warrant for Mangawan’s arrest is issued in 2017 by Judge Jose Tabosares of the Regional Trial Court branch 23.

Reports from the Kidapawan City Police said Mangawan and his live-in partner identified only as Rose went into hiding in Barangay Perez in this city.

They allegedly sought refuge in one of Rose's relatives at Sitio Lapan in Barangay Perez. The lot, however, was owned by a barangay official, who, after learning that Mangawan was facing several crimes in Arakan town, went to a CAFGU outpost to report him.

Immediately, personnel from the Kidapawan City Police arrived at the place and arrested the couple.

Around 7 p.m. on Monday, Mangawan was transferred to Arakan town to face the charges filed against him, Napat said. —Malu Cadelina Manar/KBK, GMA News