Blanca's husband to be arrested

The police will arrest Rod Strunk today, after a self-confessed hired killer accused Strunk of masterminding the killing of his wife, comedian Nida Blanca, on November 7.

About 600 policemen have been posted at the residence of the actress in suburban White Plains, following the presentation of Philip Medel to the media.

Philip Medel Jr, presented the four inch knife he used to stab Blanca on Strunk's orders. He also presented his bloodied shirt as evidence of his participation in the killing.

"Strunk hired me through another person, to kill a Chinese woman. He promised to pay $3,921.56 with a $980.39 down payment, but this amount was never given," said Medel.

"Strunk fetched me at around 5.30 pm on November 6 at the corner of Santolan Avenue and Edsa (in suburban Quezon City). We ate at Robinson's Galleria where he gave instructions on how to carry out the attack against a Chinese woman. I did not know it would be his wife Nida," said Medel.

Strunk accompanied him to the parking area of the Atlanta Condominium building in Greenhills, suburban San Juan, at six that evening. Strunk opened the car and told Medel to wait for the victim there.

But it was Blanca who arrived at the parking area to get her car at one in the morning, said Medel, adding by that time Strunk was also in the parking area with two other women.

Strunk wanted his wife "tortured first so she would bring out the documents with regards to her will and his inheritance". But when the actress failed to show documents, the women started boxing her.

After several minutes, Strunk gave the order to Medel to "finish-off and stab his wife".

Sources said Blanca wrote her will several days before her death. Her only child, Katherine Jones Torres, is the sole heiress to Blanca's property, which includes her two houses and insurance claims.

The attack took place between 1 and 2.30 am, Medel said, adding he was not under the influence of shabu when he carried out the murder.

"I hope mankind will understand the sin I have blindly committed. To give justice to the innocent soul of Nida Blanca, I am turning myself in as witness to the evil design of Rod Strunk," Medel said in a statement.

The police took Medel from his residence in Kamias, suburban Quezon City on Saturday evening. He narrated his involvement in a 10-page sworn statement.

A neighbour said Medel had told her about the killing early in the morning, even before the story was reported on radio.

Medel formerly served as a security consultant for Jude Estrada, son of former president Joseph Estrada. He claimed to have worked as a security guard in a mining camp in Angola. He is currently detained at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in suburban Quezon City.

The police have filed a case with the Department of Justice for a preliminary investigation. The justice department will elevate the case to the court.

"It's a major breakthrough," said head of Task Force Marsha and CIDG superintendent Nestorio Gualberto.

Philippine National Police chief Gen Leandro Mendoza and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina said they believed Medel was telling the truth.

Immigrations Commissioner Andrea Domingo issued a hold order on Strunk, an American citizen, and the two women who accompanied him to kill Blanca. One of them was Blanca's friend.

Meanwhile, Blanca's neighbours in White Plains were shocked to hear about the case.

"We never see him in church with Nida," said Tapia, hinting there was no truth to Strunk's allegations that the couple attended Bible studies together.

"We were told that he has become a Christian, but we never believed it," said an actress.

"How could her husband do such a thing? She worked for him," said another neighbour.
Outspoken actress, Anabelle Rama, said Blanca's husband who never worked for a living "has no gratitude at all".

The two were married for 22 years.

Earlier, after the gruesome murder was discovered, Strunk told reporters: "We were soul-mates. She's my friend, my lover, my wife. I don't know how I will go on."