Police have two persons of interest in Lambunao rob-slay

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two persons of interest were tagged in a robbery-slay incident in Lambunao, Iloilo on Sept 15, 2022.

But Major Jogen Suegay, Lambunao police chief, declined to identify them in the meantime.

He also declined to divulge if they are residents of Lambunao but claimed that they have no records in the local police station.

Suegay said they’re gathering more evidence and have taken the sworn statements of witnesses, including the two wounded victims.

One of the witnesses is a resident of Barangay Pasig, the village where the incident happened.

“What the witnesses offered was a circumstantial testimony that could strengthen our case,” Suegay said.

He added that they might be able to file a case against the two gunmen and their lookout this week.

Three assailants staged a daring robbery afternoon of Sept 15 on the national highway at Pasig, a village just 7 kilometers away from the town proper.

The incident killed Jerry Faldas, the driver of the delivery van of Iloilo City-based cigarette distribution company Japan Tobacco Inc.

Faldas, a resident of Barangay Port San Pedro, City Proper, Iloilo City, was believed to have instantly died due to gunshot wounds on the head and chest.

His two co-workers were also wounded after the gunmen shot at them while they were fleeing.

Elbert Mardoquio, 37, of Barangay Inaladan, Cabatuan Iloilo, was hit on the back and is now being treated at Western Visayas Medical Center.

On the other hand, Jeriel Nalangan, 35, of Barangay Libot, Calinog, Iloilo, sustained gunshot injuries on his arm and shoulder and a graze wound on his head. He is now recuperating at West Visayas State University Medical Center.

The three victims came from Barangay Jayubo, Lambunao, and were driving on an uphill portion of barangay Pasig around 3:45 p.m. on Thursday when they were waylaid.

The assailants hid in a grove and ran to the roadside as the van was approaching.

The survivors claimed that the suspects just shot at them. The initial volley hit Faldas.

As the vehicle consequently came to a stop, Mardoquio and Nalangan immediately alighted.

They ran away but the suspects shot at them. Luckily, the bullets did not fatally hit them.

The robbers took their collection amounting to around P591,000 and their bags containing personal belongings.

They then fled on foot going in the direction of Barangay Banban, Lambunao.