Murder case filed over Iloilo delivery boy slay

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Police have filed a murder case against a village official and his friend for allegedly killing a water delivery boy in Arevalo, Iloilo City.

Capt. Michael Tuburan, chief of the Iloilo City Police Station 6, said the case was filed Wednesday, May 13, against Melvin Acebuque, a barangay kagawad of Sta. Filomena in Arevalo, and Mark Anthony Bañares before the Iloilo City Prosecutor’s Office.

A week after the incident, Tuburan said police had not received surrender feelers from the suspects’ camp.

Police also sought help from Acebuque’s wife, but she claimed she had no communication with her husband.

She provided Acebuque’s mobile phone number to authorities, but Tuburan said it could not be reached.

After the incident, police conducted follow-up operations in several areas in Oton where the suspects have relatives.

Tuburan said the relatives claimed Acebuque and Bañares had not gone to their homes.

Tuburan said police could not determine whether the suspects were still in Iloilo.

The two suspects allegedly killed a man identified only as Robert on the afternoon of May 7 in Arevalo.

Police said the victim used to work as a collector for Acebuque’s lending business.

Robert was carrying empty water gallons to his vehicle when witnesses allegedly saw the suspects attack him with a knife.

Mark allegedly held the victim’s arms while Melvin stabbed him.

Robert was taken to Iloilo Doctors’ Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

The two suspects immediately fled on a motorcycle.