7th most wanted in Region 7 arrested in Mindanao

The seventh most wanted person in Central Visayas was arrested Sunday by the joint operatives of the Cebu City Police Office and Police Regional Office-10 in Northern Mindanao.

Dexter Alonzo Romeo, 37, who has been wanted for murder in Cebu City since 2007 was traced by the intelligence operatives in his workplace in Barangay Tubod, Iligan City.

Superintendent Emile Santos, deputy city director for operations, said Romeo was considered 7th most wanted person in the region. In fact, a reward of P135,000 was dangled for his arrest. He was issued warrant of arrest by Regional Trial Court Branch 20 Judge Bienvenido Saniel Jr. for murder.

Romeo, a member of Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity, was accused in the killing of a member of their rival Akrho Fraternity in 2007.

Romeo said he did not intend to kill the victim, Carlos Colina. He claimed that the incident was a selfdefense.

“Katong pagkahitaboa nagdepensa kos akong kaugalingon kay gisulong man ko, pagtion niya sa armas, gipusil niya diritso, nilihay ko. Iya tong armas, giilog niya, pagtion niya sa akoa akong natapi iyang kamot,” Romeo said.

After the incident, Romeo said he was sent by his grandfather to Mindanao for fear of his life.

“Naglikay ko para sa akong mga ginikanan, daghan ra ba kaayo mi. Tungod pud to sa kahadlok sad. Ako nalang puy nilikay aron di sila madamay,” Romeo said.

Romeo said he decided to live a new life in Mindanao until his arrest. He said he already severed his ties with his fraternity after he left Cebu.