Suspect in Kalinga vice gov's slay yields - report

After two months, an 18-year-old Kalinga tribesman wanted for the murder of Kalinga vice governor and gubernatorial candidate Rommel Diasen has surrendered to authorities. Radio dzBB reported Thursday that Joel Melod turned himself in to National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) deputy for operations Reynaldo Esmeralda. As of posting time, no details were immediately available on the circumstances that prompted Melod to surrender. Police launched a massive manhunt for Melod in April, after he killed Diasen during a campaign sortie on April 7. Philippine National Police Task Force USIG commander Director Geary Barias said Melod is a member of the mixed Magnao-Lubuagan tribe. Barias said witnesses identified Melod as the killer. "We received reports that the suspect was dared by a fellow tribesman and wood-gatherer to kill Vice-Gov. Diasen to avenge the killing of a local judge a few years ago. We also had information that the suspect is a relative of the wife of Diasen," Barias said in a report to PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon last April. Barias was referring to the case of Judge Milnar Lammawin, a member of the Magnao tribe who was killed in an ambush believed to have been perpetrated by rivals from another tribe to which Diasen belonged. Diasen was linked to the murder of Lammawin but the case did not prosper in court. Lammawin is a cousin of Diasen's wife. Diasen was shot in the middle of a campaign speech on Black Saturday in Bgy. Manao in Tabuk. Police said a lone gunman armed with a cal-.45 pistol climbed the stage where the 58-year old politician was delivering a speech and shot him six times in the head and body. Diasen died while being taken to a local hospital. - GMANews.TV