CIDG arrests Manero in Gen. Santos for murder

KORONADAL CITY – Norberto Manero Jr, the convicted priest killer, was arrested by the
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-12) for the 2010 murder and attempted murder charges.

Manero, 70,
went to the CIDG office inside Camp Fermin Lira Friday morning to follow up a
separate case, according to Supt. Elmer Guevarra, CIDG-12 chief.

While inside
the CIDG office, Guevarra said, agents presented to Manero two warrants of
arrest.

Although
surprised, Manero did not resist arrest and vowed to face the case against him
in proper forum. Along with Manero, also charged were Rolando Paglangan Jr.,
Sonny dela Cruz, Wahab Dikayan and John Palma.

He said he is
ready to face the case against him, Guevarra told and//www.ndbcnews.com.ph www.ndbcnews.com.ph . Interviewed by DXND, Guevarra said after seeing Manero at the CIDG office, his staffhad checked with a local court in General Santos City to verify if warrants for the arrest of Norberto was still ‘existing.’On Friday, Guevarra said the Gen. Santos City Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 23 certified that these warrants are still ‘in effect’. When the RTC had it certified the warrants are still existing, we immediately placed Manero under our custody, Guevarra said. We were given copies of these warrants last month by relatives of the complainants. Every week, they would check on us if we already had him arrested, Guevarra added.He also said that Manero's wife who was with himquestioned them on why it was only last Friday that they had her husband arrested, when the incident happened many years ago.Manero also told
Guevarra that he was amazed why he has a warrant and was not arrested until he
showed up at CIDG. In fact, he told the
police, he managed to secure NBI clearance and travelled to Phuket, Thailand
last year.

Supt. Romeo
Galgo Jr, speaking for police in Region 12, said Manero is now detained at Gen.
Santos City jail.

Supt. Guevarra
could not say where exactly the murder and attempted murder case had happened
involving Norberto Jr or the alleged victims.

The honorable
Judge Lorenzo tasked the CIDG to serve the arrest warrant against Manero and we
have complied the task, Guevarra said, adding Manero has been presented to the
sala of Judge Lorenzo on Friday afternoon.In 2014, Guevarra said they arrested Manero for illegal possession of firearms but was freed temporarily after posting bail. Manero, a
leader of para-military group was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder
of Italian missionary Fr. Tulio Favali of the Pontifical Institute of Foreign
Mission (PIME) in Tulunan, North Cotabato in April 11, 1985.

Image may contain 3 people people sitting and indoor sand//scontent.fmnl4-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19875458_1790043874355355_8787049530640338602_n.jpg?oh=31c5d504b962aea056408ac49924b690andampoe=59C822E0 (Norberto Manero Jr (white polo shirt) with his wife and unidentified lawyer at the office of CIDG-12 director Supt. Elmer Guevarra - SOMINCIDG PHOTO)In 1987, the
Regional Trial Court of Kidapawan, Cotabato found the Manero and his brothers
Edilberto and Elpidio and five others guilty of murder and sentenced them to
reclusion perpetua.

But in 1992, Norberto
Jr. escaped from the Davao penal colony. Within the year, he was re-arrested and
sent to the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.

A year later,
the Supreme Court affirmed Kidapawan court’s decision convicting Norberto Jr,
his brothers and five others of murdering the Italian missionary.

In 1988, the
President Ramos commuted the sentences of the Maneros with Norberto Jr.'s
sentence was commuted to 24 years. Ten years later, then President Joseph
Estrada granted conditional pardon to Norberto Jr..

But in March
2000, Malacañang revoked the conditional pardon it granted to Norberto Jr., due
to another pending criminal case against him in South Cotabato. He was
rearrested and detained in Sarangani provincial jail where he escaped a year
later.

In March 22,
2001, Norberto Jr surrendered to authorities and jailed in Davao Penal Colony.
Not long after, he was moved to New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.

In January 25,
2008, Norberto Jr was freed from prison telling reporters he was already a
reformed man and want to live normal lives.

Ten days
later, Norberto Jr visited the grave of Fr. Favali at the Bishop’s residence
compound in Barangay Binoligan, Kidapawan City, lighted a candle and offered
prayer. He kissed the ceramic photo of
Favali and sought forgiveness.

He took a glimpse
of the remnants of Fr. Favali’s motorbike beside the grave that Norberto Jr and
his companions also torched after brutally murdering the Catholic missionary.

He preferred
to be called Nonoy instead of his dreaded name during the murder as Commander
Bucay.

He claimed to
have fixed things with Favali’s colleague, Fr. Peter Geremia, PMIE, who is
still serving the Diocese of Kidapawan. Norberto’s
group was to kill Geremia when they chanced upon Fr. Favali.