STA. ROSA, LAGUNA, Philippines — Authorities have arrested a man accused of masterminding the murder of his wife and son in Sta. Rosa, Laguna three years ago.
Ricardo Sta. Ana, 32, was collared in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig on Saturday, according to Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao, chief of the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon)police.
The arrest was based on a warrant issued by Judge Gil Jude Sta. Maria Jr. of the Laguna Regional Trial Court Branch 102.
Records showed Sta. Ana’s wife Helene and their son Denzel were found dead at their home in Barangay Labas, Sta. Rosa on March 2, 2016.
Police arrested Ramoncito Galo and Bryan Avistado, who owned up to the crime and pointed to Sta. Ana as the mastermind, according to Col. Eleazar Matta, Laguna police director.
The suspects told police they used a hammer in killing the victims.
Charges of two counts each of murder, rape and theft were filed against Galo and Avistado in 2016.
Sta. Ana was charged with two counts of parricide, but these were dismissed due to lack of evidence.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reinvestigated Sta. Ana’s case after his mother-in-law filed a case of parricide against him earlier this month.
NBI-Calabarzon chief Daniel Daganzo said his men were able to secure closed-circuit television camera footage showing Sta. Ana and the suspects having a meeting before the victims were murdered.