Suspect behind slay of undercover cop, among CALABARZON most wanted, arrested - police

The suspect in the death of an undercover cop during a buy-bust operation has been arrested, police said on Tuesday.

According to a “24 Oras” report by John Consulta on Tuesday, Marlon Pacia, one of the most wanted suspects of Police Regional Office (PRO) 4A in CALABARZON, is now in police custody after being on the run for the past two years. 

It was September 2021 when Pacia, a suspected drug pusher, allegedly shot to death Police Staff Sergeant Karl Marty Manzanilla during a transaction involving narcotics in Dasmariñas, Cavite. Manzanilla was declared dead on the spot by investigators. Another lawman was injured during the operation. The suspect and several others managed to escape immediately after the incident.

“Nalaman nila na pulis [yung katransaksyon], kaya makikita niyo sa autopsy report ay tatlo ang tama niya. Dalawa sa dibdib at isa sa ulo. Talagang di siya bubuhayin,” said PNP PRO4A Police Lieutenant Colonel Vic Cabatingan.

Acting on a tip, a team from PRO4A and the Bacoor PNP arrested Pacia in his hideout.   

(After the suspects found out they were transacting with police, based on the autopsy report the victim was shot twice on the chest and one on the head. They made sure he was dead.) 

“Kailangan nating hulihin yung mga taong ito para mabawasan ang illegal drug trade at pangalawa ay para mabigyan natin hustisya itong pagkamatay ni Staff Sergeant Manzanilla,” added PNP PRO4A Regional Director Police Brigadier General Paul Kenneth Lucas.

(We need to apprehend these suspects in order to curb the illegal drug trade and give justice for the death of Staff Sergeant Manzanilla.)

The family of the victim was relieved with the recent development.

“Malaki yung kinuha sa akin, malaki yung kinuha sa anak ko, walang pantay yung sakit. Malaking bagay po yung nagawa nila na mahuli, kahit papaano mababawasan yung sakit, makakatulong para umusad kami,” said the victim’s partner Maria Izza Manzanilla.

(A lot was taken from me and my child, the pain is unbearable. It means a lot they arrested the man who is responsible, in some way it lessens the hurt that we feel and helps my family move forward.)  

Meanwhile, Pacia’s son and fellow suspect, Jomari Pacia, remains at large and is the subject of a manhunt.

“Nagbibigay po ng pabuya itong business sector ng Calabarzon ng P100,000 sa sinumang makapagturo,” said Lucas. 

(The business sector of Calabarzon is offering a reward of P100,000 to anyone who could provide information that would lead to his arrest.). —Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News