Pastor wanted for murder arrested in Abra

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Police arrested a 60-year-old pastor wanted for murder in Benguet in Sitio Balantog, Barangay Poblacion, Luba, Abra on Wednesday, Jan. 18.

Col. Damian Olsim, Benguet police chief, identified the suspect as Melchor Langbayan Balance, a resident of Barangay Ol-olingen, Villaviciosa, Abra.

Olsim revealed that Balance, also known as “Commander Kawar,” was a former commander of the disbanded Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CPLA) and listed as the No. 2 Regional Top Most Wanted Person in Cordillera.

He said Balance had been wanted since 2015 and was listed as the regional top most wanted person in 2019.

Damian said the Itogon Municipal Police Station received information on the whereabouts of the suspect and was nabbed on a warrant issued on March 20, 2014 by Judge Jennifer P. Humiding, Presiding Judge of Branch 63, Regional Trial Court, La Trinidad, Benguet. The court recommended no bail for the suspect.