A 28-year-old man wanted for the killing of a 55-year-old businessman in Lipa City, Batangas, was arrested in Makati City by the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) of Batangas.
The killing happened on December 16, 2023.
“This was an intelligence driven operation, wherein naka-conduct tayo ng information sa whereabouts nitong ating suspect. Nagsagawa po tayo ng service of warrant of arrest kung saan nalaman po natin na siya ay nagtatago, siguro mga apat na buwan na ho since ma-commit ang krimen,” PMAJ. Jayson Sto. Domingo, Provincial Officer of HPG Batangas, said.
The Highway Patrol Group said they are not limited to apprehending suspects only in vehicular incidents but are mandated to apprehend individuals involved in various crimes.
“As [a] police officer, kami pong mga highway patrol is police officers pa rin kami, diba? So it is [in] our mandate pa rin naman na kahit hindi crimes involving sasakyan, pede pa rin naming hulihin,” Sto. Domingo said.
The suspect said that he regrets committing the crime, and attributed his actions to stress and pressure.
“Pinagsisisihan ko ang nagawa ko. Tungkol naman doon sa nagawa ko sa Lipa, Batangas, nadala lang ako ng stress, at pressure na rin. Pinaasa kasi ako ng pinaasa na maibabalik ‘yung pera, napahiya kasi ako nang napahiya dahil ako na ‘yung nasisisi,” the suspect said.
Sto. Domingo urged wanted individuals to surrender to any police station, and encouraged citizens to report information to help apprehend wanted individuals without fear.
“Kung alam ninyong mayroon kayong kaso, pwede naman kayong mag-surrender sa kahit anong himpilan ng pulisya; at sa mga mamamayan naman po [na] may kahit anong impormasyon sa mga kasong ito, huwag po silang matakot o mag-atubili na magsumbong sa kanilang mga police stations, para agarang mahuli itong mga hinahanap ng batas,” Sto. Domingo said.
