Suspect in teacher slay in Cebu falls in Negros

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The suspect linked to the killing of a public school teacher in Naga, Cebu was arrested in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental Monday night.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Jesus Mesahon Jr., San Carlos City police chief, identified the suspect as Elmar Gemida, 24, of Barangay Ilaya, Calatrava town.

Gemida allegedly murdered Jhun Leo Pañares, who was found with stab wounds inside the teacher’s office of Inuboran Elementary School in Barangay Inuboran on Sunday, Oct. 16.

Mesahon said that Gemida purportedly used the victim’s motorcycle as a get-away vehicle. He traveled to the province via a roll-on/roll-off (Roro) vessel on the day that the crime was committed.

Police nabbed Gemida when they coordinated with the suspect’s live-in partner.

Mesahon said Gemida was intercepted after his live-in partner asked him to fetch her at the seaport.

Gemida did not know that his live-in partner was accompanied by some policemen from Naga, the police chief added.

Mesahon said the victim’s motorcycle was recovered at the house of Gemida’s elder sibling in Calatrava town, while the victim’s cellular phone and P10,000 were also recovered from the suspect.

Gemida was transported back to Naga on Tuesday morning, Oct. 18 for the filing of charges.

Policemen in Naga are looking into robbery as a motive in the incident.

Earlier, Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong offered a reward of P50,000 to anyone who could give information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrator.