LEGAZPI CITY -- Police operatives here on Wednesday arrested suspect in the killing of Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) Judge Ricky Begino last Tuesday.
Senior Insp. Bernardo Penero, Presentacion town police chief, in a phone interview said the elderly suspect was arrested at about 8:10 a.m. Wednesday at a friend’s house at Barangay Sta. Maria.
The suspect was identified as Wilfredo Armea, 72, of Zone 3, Barangay Santa Maria, Presentacion, Camarines Sur.
Penero said the suspect did not resist arrest and surrendered to authorities.
Penero said the motive of the killing was a land dispute between the victim over an 8-hectare farmland in Barangay Bicaben, also in Presentacion town, which the suspect reportedly claims ownership.
The suspect told police he shot the victim because he no longer earns income from the land he allegedly owns after the relatives of the slain judge took over the farming chores.
The 8-hectare farm is planted with abaca and other crops, the suspect said.
Begino of the Metropolitan Circuit Trial Court of San Jose-Lagonoy town in Camarines Sur was gunned down on Tuesday afternoon in Barangay Sta. Maria, Presentacion town in Camarines Sur. (PNA)
