5 suspects in teacher’s slay arrested

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Five persons were arrested yesterday in connection with the killing of a public school teacher in Amadeo, Cavite on Wednesday.

Capt. Jeff Cesar Lontok, municipal police chief, said the suspected gunman Ananda Karnanasinghe, 59; Celestina de Luna, 51; her husband Antonio Romeroso, 53; their son Mark, 21, and Benidic Cabasi, 43, were apprehended in pursuit operations in Barangay Lalaan 2nd in Silang.

De Luna, a former teacher, was said to be the brains in the killing of Normita Bautista, 58, of the Tagaytay National High School.

Probers are eyeing a land dispute as the motive, according to officer-in-charge S/Sgt. Arvin Balbuena.

Initial investigation showed that Bautista owned the house and lot that the suspects were renting, which they sold without her knowledge.

The suspects allegedly plotted to kill Bautista following a heated argument when she confronted them.