Maayon senior slay suspect arrested

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Capiz arrested Wednesday morning, May 20, a suspected gunman in the fatal shooting of a senior citizen on May 4, 2026, in Sitio Ilawod, Barangay Alasaging, Maayon, Capiz.

Capt. Danilo Lauron, Maayon Municipal Police Station chief, identified the suspect as alias Demar, of legal age and a resident of Barangay Aglimocon, Maayon.

Lauron said the suspect was arrested 16 days after he allegedly killed George Bengan, 64, of Barangay Alasaging, Maayon.

Aside from the murder case recently filed against him, the suspect was also charged with violating Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, after authorities allegedly recovered an unlicensed firearm and a hand grenade from his possession during his arrest.

The suspect denied killing the victim, but police said witnesses consistently and positively identified him as the gunman.

Police said they believe the suspect was paid to kill Bengan.

Earlier, police said a land dispute may have been the motive behind the killing.

Investigators looked into a previous barangay record involving an unsettled land dispute.

Lauron said village officials had recommended the matter to the Department of Agrarian Reform for possible settlement.

“We have gathered information that the suspect is a professional hitman because the two of the relatives of the victim were spared from the attack”, the police chief said.

Police said Bengan and two companions were loading bamboo onto a top-down motorcycle parked beside the road when the lone gunman arrived.

Based on the testimony of a minor companion, the suspect was alone on a Bajaj motorcycle and wearing a helmet when he arrived in the area.

Without saying a word, the suspect pulled out an unidentified firearm and shot Bengan several times in the body before fleeing toward Barangay Dulunan.

The Maayon police and the Maayon Emergency Response Team responded and brought Bengan to Bailan District Hospital in Pontevedra town.

He was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

A team from the Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered three empty shells from a .45-caliber firearm at the crime scene.

The suspect is in the custody of the Maayon Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.