Reward offered to help find killer

Convicted of killing his friend's wife, Mario Parangalan is on the run from authorities who hope the public can help bring him to justice.

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Police are for the first time offering a reward for help in capturing a wanted criminal. Senior officers in the capital have given the go-ahead for a reward of Dh50,000 (US$13,610) for information that leads to the arrest of a murderer who has been on the run for four years.

Mario Parangalan, a 40-year-old Filipino, is described as "violent and dangerous". His whereabouts is unknown but police are hopeful the money will act as an incentive for people to provide the necessary information to bring him to justice. He was convicted of murder in absentia. "This initiative is the start of a new policy, which is part of our strategic plan to allow the public to become part of crime solving," said Major Gen Mohammed al Minhali, the general director of the police operations. "Security is something that belongs to all.

"In this case, this is an opportunity for the public to help bring [this man] to justice. We are very hopeful this will encourage people with information to come forward." Abu Dhabi Police's strategic plan for 2008 to 2012 spells out six priorities: controlling crime, increasing community confidence in police and public safety, maintaining security and safety, making the roads safer, utilising the staff's skills and providing all policing operations with functional support.

According to police, Parangalan killed his friend's wife and attacked a friend of hers at 1.10pm on Sept 15 2005 in the Al Ain apartment of Charles Wong and his wife, Mary-Ann. Two weeks earlier, Mr Wong had helped Parangalan by bringing him to Al Ain for work and even let him stay in his own home while he looked for employment. Maria Bancoro, who was also staying at the Wongs' home, was suddenly attacked and stabbed by Parangalan. She said she fought him off and locked herself in the bedroom then called police. Parangalan went on to stab Mrs Wong and strangle her to death, police say.

He fled the scene while they blocked off the city looking for him. Police believe the only motive was theft as Parangalan stole money and jewellery from the Wongs. In the days after the attacks, an anonymous person offered a Dh10,000 reward for his arrest but as no arrest was made the offer was dropped. The reward being offered by police comes out of the Ministry of Interior's eagerness to put the investigation to rest.

"It is possible the convict could have escaped the country," Gen al Minhali said. He may have used a passport with a false identity to flee into a neighbouring country. The ministry has been working with authorities in the Philippines in the hunt for the killer. "We are guaranteeing anonymity to all of the callers providing information on this case," Gen al Minhali said. Parangalan is believed by the police to have burn scars on his left arm and eczema around his left and right wrists. According to the description on his passport, which is at least four years old, he weighs 85kg, has black hair and is 1.70m (5ft 7) tall. Police are asking anyone with information to telephone them on 800-2626.