THE Manila Police District (MPD) announced the arrest of a third suspect in the murder of Police Officer 3 Ronald Leonardo, a crime that occurred on June 19, 2015.
The suspect was apprehended on an outstanding arrest warrant. MPD records indicate the suspect evaded authorities for ten years following the killing of Leonardo, a former operative of the MPD’s follow-up section (formerly the Anti-Crime Unit).
According to police reports, Leonardo was investigating a group involved in a series of robberies, illegal drug activities, and thefts.
The suspects allegedly became aware of the investigation and ambushed Leonardo as he was returning home, fatally shooting him in the chest.
Two other suspects, including the alleged gunman, were apprehended in 2017.
The recently arrested suspect denied involvement in the crime but implicated an individual known only as “Michael Flores” as the mastermind.
The ongoing investigation aims to locate and apprehend Flores. The arrest highlights the MPD’s continued efforts to solve cold cases and bring those responsible for violent crimes to justice, even after a significant passage of time.
The suspect is currently in police custody and will face charges related to the murder of Police Officer 3 Ronald Leonardo.
