Suspect in Village Official’s Killing Surrenders

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The suspect in the killing of a village official in Tigbauan, Iloilo, has voluntarily turned himself in to authorities.

John Castro Jr. surrendered to the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), though it lacks jurisdiction over the case.

Castro, formerly with Iloilo City’s Task Force Asis, initially contacted his former supervisor, Love Joy Hosinella, seeking assistance.

After meeting at the Iloilo Terminal Market, they proceeded to the ICPO at around 11 p.m. on Oct. 28.

Castro, accused of killing Barangay Kagawad Joevanie Triste on Oct. 24, executed an extrajudicial affidavit with the assistance of lawyer Shiela Olid.

However, Iloilo City Police Chief Col. Kim Legada said Castro’s surrender was “unnecessary” as a case had already been filed against him.

The court has yet to issue a warrant for Castro’s arrest.

“Based on jurisprudence, if a person surrenders voluntarily without a warrant of arrest, an inquest proceeding is generally not required,” Legada said. “In this scenario, the appropriate process is for the individual to submit to the preliminary investigation process rather than an inquest.”

The preliminary investigation allows both complainant and accused to submit evidence and counter-affidavits, after which the prosecutor determines if probable cause exists to file formal charges.

Legada cited Rule 112, Section 3 of the Rules of Court, stating that the preliminary investigation process requires the prosecutor to notify the respondent of the complaint and allow them to submit a defense.

Surrendering indicates awareness of accusations and a willingness to cooperate with legal processes, making an inquest unnecessary in this case, he explained.

Further, an extrajudicial confession alone is insufficient for conviction unless corroborated by evidence of corpus delicti.

Castro reportedly admitted to killing Triste, 58, a former barangay captain of San Rafael village in Tigbauan.

Triste sustained seven gunshot wounds to his lower right chest.

Reports indicate a confrontation occurred before Castro allegedly shot Triste.

Authorities note that Castro was previously arrested on April 3, 2024, for illegal possession of firearms and light threats.

Several complaints had allegedly been lodged against him, including a 2003 incident, though he reportedly settled some charges.