Calbayog’s fugitive finally faces charges while padlocked

By GINA DEAN-RAGUDO, Samar News.com
January 14, 2011

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar  –  Calbayog City’s one of the most wanted persons was finally arrested after years of hiding. By virtue of a warrant of arrest issued on March 20, 2009 by Manuel F. Torrevillas, former presiding judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 32, Joel Rama Cañete was captured by Northern Police District Special Operation Unit of NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) on January 5, 2011 in Taruza, Cavite.

NPD’s Special Operation Unit headed by PSupt Jose Hidalgo turned over the suspect to Calbayog Police Chief Nestor Valenzuela in the morning of January 11, 2011 at Calbayog Domestic Airport.

While in custody of NCRPO-NPDSOU and the composite team of the city and the Provincial Mobile Group, Cañete was escorted from the airport up to RTC Branch 32. While waiting for the court’s commitment order, Cañete’s immediate family has arrived and they were given a chance to talk and reunite. Despite refusal for a media interview, suspect’s relative said that they were planning to avail the services of the Public Attorney’s Office.

Court record revealed that Cañete and his brother-in-law Ramon “Montac” Ventures were the suspects of an alleged ambushed occurred on August 14, 2007 at Corner Pido and JD Avelino Sts, Brgy. West Awang this city against councilor Jonas Montealto and killing his driver Reynaldo Ongcal. Empty shells of .45 caliber and 9MM pistols were recovered from the crime scene.

Murder and frustrated murder were filed in court by the aggrieved party against the suspects.