Cops nab suspected mastermind in murder of 6 in Caloocan

MANILA, Philippines – Police arrested on Monday a former barangay chairman as the suspect mastermind in the murder of six people in Caloocan City two years ago. The suspect, Graciano Victoriano, 44, former chairman of Barangay Bignay, Valenzuela City, was arrested by team composed of policemen from Caloocan and Damortis town in La Union, where had reportedly fled. The warrant for his arrest, for two counts of murder, was issued by Judge Thelma Canlas Trinidad-Pe Aguirre of the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 129. Victoriano was tagged as the mastermind in the killing of Ramon Villanueva, Judril Merguizo, Arthur Cardona, Jefferson Agipanan, Alfredo Asuero, and Remy Amaro on Oct. 1, 2006 at Phase III, Nova-Romania Sudivision, Deparo, Caloocan. Relatives of two of the six victims pressed charges against him. But Victoriano was able to post bail following his arrest a few days after the incident. Still at-large are Victoriano's two alleged accomplices, Micky Flor and Santiago Lumabao. The Caloocan Police is set to present the suspect in a press conference Tuesday afternoon. - GMANews.TV