Two suspects arrested in killing of pro-Marcos vlogger

MANILA, Philippines — The police arrested on Thursday two suspects in the case of pro-Marcos vlogger Alicia “Mima Alicia” Lipata, who was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle in Caloocan City on July 17. The suspects were tracked to Mabalacat City in Pampanga, Philippine National Police public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co told reporters in a briefing at Camp Crame. Co identified the two men by their aliases: M.S., the alleged gunman who is 58 years old and a resident of Caloocan City, and J.A., 48 years old and from Cavite. M.S. has multiple prior cases, according to Co, who did not elaborate. Seized from the suspects were two hand grenades, a cal. .45 pistol and a 9mm pistol. “We believe that the caliber .45 pistol is the same firearm used in the killing of the vlogger,” Co said. The two suspects are facing charges for murder and violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and RA No. 9516, which pertains to the illegal possession of explosives. Co said that investigators are still trying to determine if Lipata’s killing was related to her political statements or personal life. “We have received information that we cannot disclose yet as of now so as not to compromise our ongoing operations … But all I could say is based on that information, there are other people involved,” he added. Co said the two men entered Lipata’s house around 15 to 20 minutes before she came home, suggesting that there were other people monitoring her movements. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously said that police investigators were looking into the suspects’ alleged connection to a criminal syndicate “based in the south.”