A 51-year-old barangay councilman in Lipa City, Batangas is now in police custody following a follow-up operation that led to his arrest.
The operation was conducted by the Lipa City Component Police Station, SWAT, and the Intelligence Unit of the Lipa City Police.
The barangay councilman is accused of shooting a 51-year-old woman on March 9, 2024.
The incident was captured on CCTV, which also showed the suspect fleeing on an e-bike.
"Malaking tulong po 'yung binigay na information sa atin nu' ng atung confidential informant na cited nga po doon ‘yung suspect and immediately nag-conduct po tayo ng follow-up operation dito sa ating suspek na ‘yun nga, nag-lead sa pagka-aresto doon sa bahay ng isa sa ating mga kapatid," PCapt. Ricardo Cuevas, Chief Operations Officer of Lipa City Police, said,
A .45-caliber handgun loaded with three bullets was recovered from the suspect.
The suspect also allegedly failed to present proper documentation for the firearm, which violates Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
The suspect, who regrets commiting the crime, claimed that a friend had only lent him the firearm.
The police said the firearm recovered from the suspect may be the murder weapon.
"Ine-expect po namin na ‘yun na ‘yung ginamit niya sa pagpatay doon sa ating victim; at yun naman po ay inamin na rin naman po ng ating suspek," Cuevas said.
"Ayon lang din sa kaniya, nagpatong-patong na lang din 'yung mga sumbong sa kaniya kasi considering na ‘yun nga daw pong victim is parang may sina-cite doon na mga hinahanap na bahay ng maykaya. So, iniisip niya is baka daw ‘yun ay may plano ng panloloob," Cuevas added.
Charges for murder and violation of Republic Act 10591 have been filed against the suspect before the Batangas City Prosecutor's Office.
