By Ria Fernandez
The village chief who was accused of mauling a 16-year-old boy has sent surrender feelers to the Manila Police District (MPD) on Thursday.
MPD Deputy Director for Administration Senior Supt. Marcelino Pedrozo said they are negotiating with Felipe Falcon, Jr., chairman of Barangay 350, Zone 35, Tondo, Manila.
MPD Deputy Dir. for Administration Marcelino Pedrozo
(MANILA BULLETIN)
On Saturday evening, Falcon and some of his councilors and watchmen beat up the boy after the latter failed to recognize him as the barangay captain.
"Medyo may surrender feelers na gusto niya magpakita. Ang gusto niyang surrender kay mayor. (He has sent surrender feelers. He wants to surrender to mayor)," Pedrozo told the members of the media during the victim's visit to Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada at the city hall noontime Thursday.
"Medyo nag-aalala na rin si chairman (chairman is somehow worried now)," he added.
Although a court's warrant of arrest is yet to be issued, Pedrozo said that Falcon has been subject of their manhunt due to his firearms with expired licenses.
Estrada earlier ordered the police to go after the suspect. He also gave him 48 hours, which already expired, to surface.
Nonetheless, the local chief executive welcomes this development, stressing that "nobody's exempted to the rule of law".
"Well and good. So due to him," Estrada said.
The father of the victim said, "mas mabuti magpakita na siya para magkaalaman tayo. Papakilala ako sa kaniya. kung ano ginawa niya (better if he shows up now so we will know. I will introduce myself to him. I will tell him what he has done to my son."