Suspect shows police court order, avoids arrest

One of the suspects in the grave threat case filed by the late wife of lawyer Raul Sesbreño evaded arrest Monday after presenting to the arresting officer a court order which quashes his arrest warrant.

Armed with a bench warrant issued by Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Judge Mario Manayon, SPO3 Frederick Larrobis and PO3 Arnold Damasco, came to arrest Nestor Zapanta in his house in barangay Lawaan.

But Zapanta was able to present to the arresting officers a court order which nullified his arrest warrant. The warrant was from the grave threat case filed against him by Virginia Sesbreño, wife of Atty. Raul, and a certain Jumbee Dabizon.

Zapanta through his legal counsel filed a motion for reconsideration to quash his arrest warrant last February 20.

Reportedly, the grave threat case came when Atty. Sesbreño insisted his rights to demolish all 40 houses, of which one was owned by Zapanta, within his property in barangay Lawaan.

Virginia and her two companions were killed in an ambush last February 1. Zapanta was also linked to the killing.

However, Zapanta and those named behind the incident denied the allegation.

Meanwhile, as of press time, police were yet to charge Tommy Echavez, the alleged gunman of the Feb. 1 ambush, and the driver of the motorcycle used in the crime, with multiple murder.

Echavez was arrested last Sunday, while the driver was still at large as of this writing.