Cops nab fourth suspect in newscaster's killing
Police yesterday presented to the media the fourth suspect in the killing of local television newscaster Chris Misajon three years ago.
Twenty-five year old Rico Agillo Jr. alias Rik-Rik or Jimmy Saril was arrested by operatives of the Regional Intelligence Office (RIO) led by Chief Insp. Jose Fernando Bonita Jr. last September 23, 2007 around 9 p.m. at a KTV bar in Bagbaguin, Valenzuela City.
Agillo was identified by witnesses as one of the suspects who robbed and subsequently killed Misajon on September 20, 2004 at Brgy. San Rafael, Mandurriao. The other suspects Richard Barrios, Rosenie Gonzales and Michael Sombise are currently detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Ungka, Jaro and are facing trial for Robbery with Homicide.
The arrest was made by virtue of a warrant issued by Judge Lolita Contreras-Besana of Regional Trial Court Branch 30, Iloilo City dated October 26, 2004.
Chief Supt. Edwin Pfleider, Deputy Regional Director for Administration of Police Regional Office (PRO) 6, said Agillo is included in the list of Most Wanted Persons in the region carrying a monetary reward of P140,000.
RIO chief Supt. Samuel Nacion said Agillo's arrest was a product of continuous intelligence build up that they have conducted.
Interviewed by reporters, Agillo strongly denied participation to the crime. He, however, admitted that he was with suspects Gonzales and Sombise during the night the incident happened as they went to a friend's birthday party. Agillo said he fled away when Gonzales and Sombise approached and robbed Misajon. He denied knowing the other suspect Barrios.
Agillo said he is willing to act as a state witness in the case.
Misajon was the former anchor of GMA Network's local television newscast Ratsada. He died at the age of 29.