Estancia rob-slay suspect arrested, charged

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Police have arrested the suspect in the robbery and killing of a salesman in Estancia, Iloilo.

The suspect, identified only as alias Mark, 28, also a resident of Estancia, was arrested in an hourlong pursuit operation around 12:30 a.m. May 29 on Isla Gigantes in Carles town.

Lt. Adrian Baligod, Estancia police chief, said investigators secured CCTV footage showing Mark with the victim, identified only as Ricky, 48, before the latter was found dead.

Ricky, a salesman at the Estancia Feeder Port, was found by a neighbor outside the gate of his home at Purok 1, Barangay Tacbuyan, Estancia, around 1:29 p.m. Tuesday.

Reports said the victim was lying in an inclined position and had a stab wound in the abdomen.

According to the victim’s wife, Ricky left home and went to work at the feeder port in Poblacion Zone 2, Estancia, around 11 p.m. May 18.

Reports said the victim later left the feeder port with another man, who turned out to be Mark.

Police said the suspect allegedly planned the incident by hitching a ride with the victim before robbing him.

The victim apparently resisted, prompting Mark to stab him, police said.

The suspect then fled with Ricky’s motorcycle and cash amounting to PHP 10,000.

He later abandoned the motorcycle in Barangay Calapdan, Estancia.

Police theorized that Mark proceeded to Isla Gigantes, where his uncle lives.

Baligod said police intelligence personnel, with the help of village officials, tracked down the suspect hours later.

Baligod said police have filed robbery with homicide and carnapping charges against the suspect.

Robbery with homicide is a special complex crime under the Revised Penal Code, while carnapping refers to the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.