WORLD : 2 Arrested in Slaying of Marine
Police said today they arrested two Filipinos suspected of shooting an American Marine to death last week near the U.S. Subic Bay naval base.
But some police officials expressed doubt the two, identified as drug addicts, were the real killers of Gunnery Sgt. John S. Fredette, 34, of Buena Park, Calif. Police had initially blamed Communist rebels.
After the slaying Friday, the U.S. military banned off-post leaves for the 40,000 troops, Defense Department civilians and military dependents at the six U.S. bases in the Philippines.
Police Lt. Col. Macarthur Torres said witnesses “positively identified” the two arrested men--Reynato Angeles, 33, and William Burke, 24. Both denied involvement in the killing.
The suspects and several witnesses were taken to Manila today for questioning.
No group has claimed responsibility for killing Fredette, who was on temporary duty in the Philippines from the Marine Air Station at El Toro, Calif.
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