Cops: Pampanga rob-slay suspect wanted to join NPA

The suspect in the massacre of an American and four others in Pampanga last week had wanted to join the communist New People's Army (NPA), police said Wednesday. Radio dwIZ reported Mark Dizon, 28, fled to La Union province supposedly to hide in the hills from pursuing lawmen after the killings. Police arrested Dizon Tuesday and are now grilling him for the earlier robbery-killings of at least two foreigners and their respective girlfriends in Pampanga. Dizon was arrested in La Union province for the robbery and killing of American Albert Mitchell, wife Janet, two household helpers and a driver. Investigators also said Dizon may also be behind the killing of Canadian Geoffrey Allan Bennun, 60, and his girlfriend Abegail Helina. Bennun and Helina were found dead inside the Oasis Hotel in Balibago village in Angeles City last July 9. Dizon is also being investigated for the killing of British James Bolton Porter and his live-in partner Melissa Madarang, whose bodies were found July 20. A report on dwIZ radio said Dizon was arrested at 3 p.m. at the plaza of San Fernando City in La Union in a "sting" operation. Senior Superintendent Danilo Bautista, acting Angeles City police chief, said Dizon had called his family from La Union and said he wanted to join the NPA. Acting on the tip, police set up a meeting between Dizon and an undercover operative posing as an NPA. During the meeting at the city plaza, police arrested Dizon. Seized from him was a cal-.32 handgun. Police also recovered the loot from the July 22 robbery-killing, including a laptop computer, a digital camera, and computer accessories. — LBG, GMANews.TV