Manila: Authorities have arrested the alleged gunman behind the killing of a journalist from Laguna in 2005, the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) said on Sunday. In a statement, CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III announced the arrest of the suspect, identified only as "Jalal," in Barangay Poblacion, Sapad, Lanao del Norte on Friday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Jalal is accused of gunning down Robert Ramos, a reporter for the Katapat community paper, in Cabuyao in November 2005. Torre revealed that Jalal was considered a most wanted person on the national level with a PHP150,000 bounty pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 2009-46 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Torre further explained that for almost two decades, the accused evaded arrest by moving between various locations in the provinces of Laguna and Lanao del Norte. "With this arrest, we have helped the victim and victim's family attain the justice they deserve," Torre stated.