(Update) Kidnap-slay suspect falls in Cainta 7 years later

MANILA, Philippines - A suspected member of a kidnap-for-ransom gang wanted for kidnapping and killing the son of a judge was arrested in Rizal province over the weekend. Authorities identified the suspect as Onofre Surat, who was arrested at the junction in Cainta town after more than seven years of hiding. Surat was tagged in the killing of 23-year-old Mark Bacalla, son of judge Marciano Bacalla, on May 8, 2001. He faces charges of kidnapping-for-ransom and homicide. At the time of his arrest, the suspect carried a P500,000 bounty on his head. Police Regional Office 4-A director Chief Supt. Ricardo Padilla said that the suspect was arrested by operatives of the Antipolo police, Cainta police and the Rizal Provincial Intelligence and Investigation Branch after receiving a tip from a bounty hunter. The suspect is currently undergoing tactical interrogation at the Cainta Jail. Records showed that Surat was arrested by the authorities in the aftermath of the crime but escaped from police custody at the East Avenue Medical Center. Police records showed Bacalla was driving his Honda Civic (ECF-858) in Lagro Subdivision, Fairview when Surat and several gunmen blocked his path on May 2, 2001. When Bacalla learned that he was being kidnapped for ransom, he resisted, prompting the suspect to strangle him. Bacalla was already dead when Surat demanded ransom, which was reduced to P442, 000 from P4 million. On May 8, 2001, authorities arrested Rizaldy Cariño while receiving the money in Sta. Mesa, Manila. He pointed to Surat as the mastermind. Two other suspects, Rodrigo Catungal and Jerro Garica, were sentenced by Quezon City regional trial court executive Judge Monina Zenarosa to death for the kidnapping, while Cariño was sentenced to six to 12 years imprisonment. The court however acquitted Sammy Pader, 31, the brother of principal witness Felino Pader, for lack of merit. - GMANews.TV