PH murder suspect nabbed in California

MANILA, Philippines – After more than 10 years on the run, a Filipino fugitive wanted in connection with a 2003 murder in Cainta, Rizal, was arrested in the northern California city of Yuba in the United States.

The arrest was made in February by special agents with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Jun Nucum, a correspondent for the The FilAm Star reported earlier this month. “He remains in ICE custody pending the outcome of his immigration proceedings,” ICE spokeswoman Lori Haley told the paper.

Maling was identified as the only suspect in the murder of Rebedy Graceda Vergara of Cainta, Rizal, which happened on March 17, 2003. The outstanding arrest warrant was issued by a Cainta judge.

The suspect became a music minister of a Hayward church around 2010, but left after members discovered his alleged ties to the Graceda murder around 2012. A 2012 ABS-CBN report said Bay International Church was the organization that sponsored Maling’s visa.

But members of the same church, upon learning of the murder, asked homeland security to revoke his visa and that Maling be returned to the Philippines to face the charges against him.

Various media reports say Maling was the live-in partner of Vergara, and said jealousy over Vergara’s relationship with her ex-husband was the likely motive of the killing.

Haley told The FilAm Star, “It will be up to an administrative law judge with the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review to determine whether Mr Maling has a legal basis to remain in the US.” – Rappler.com 

Arrested man in handcuffs image via Shutterstock