Duo in murder raps nabbed

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

Two men who allegedly conspired with their friends in killing a parking attendant in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo almost four years ago were arrested.

Police identified the suspects as Karl Michael Sobriaga, 24, and Arwin John Suganob, 23, both resident of Sulbod Street, Barangay Zone 5, Santa Barbara.

Major Raymond Celoso, Sta. Barbara police chief, said Sobriaga was collared at his house around 12 p.m. of March 10 while Suganob was arrested 10 minutes later at Barangay 2, Sta. Barbara.

The suspects were apprehended by virtue of an arrest warrant for murder docketed as Criminal Case Number 18-82392.

Iloilo Regional Trial Court Branch 29 Judge Gloria Madero issued the warrant.

No bail was recommended for their temporary liberty.

The two arrested suspects, along with five others, were accused for the murder of Richard Gamboa, 36, of Barangay Bolong Oeste, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.

Gamboa was allegedly on his way to buy food at Bangga Dama, Sta. Barbara around 12:30 a.m. of May 2, 2017 when he saw the suspects moving a street signage.

He allegedly cautioned them against it, as it might put a danger to motorists.

Gamboa’s admonition irked the group and they ganged up on the victim. One of the suspects later pulled a knife and stabbed him.

The case was filed May 25, 2017 but the suspects already went on the run.

Celoso said the “main accused,” the suspect who allegedly stabbed Gamboa was arrested in early 2020. But he was released in December 2020 after what appeared to be a settlement with the victim’s family.

Another suspect was arrested more than a week ago.

“The release of the main suspect might have given them the idea to surface and settle the case with the victim’s family,” Celoso said.

But sans the settlement, the two suspects are now detained for proper disposition of their case.