Police arrested Pampanga’s No. 3 most wanted person, Jerome Santiago, in San Fernando City for the robbery and murder of his employer in Candaba, Pampanga, using a sewing needle meant for rice sacks.

Santiago had been on the run for nearly a year before authorities caught him in Bulaon Resettlement, Barangay Bulaon, on February 19 under an arrest warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 47 in San Fernando City.

Police said Santiago worked for Lavina Gulapa and Rojelio Gulapa at their rice warehouse in Candaba.

He asked Mrs. Lavina Gulapa for a cash advance, but she reportedly refused.

“Nagtatrabaho po sa mag-asawang Lavina Gulapa at Rojelio Gulapa sa warehouse po ng bigas. Humihingi po ng cash advance si suspek na si Jerome Santiago but unfortunately, hindi po siya napagbigyan ni Mrs. Lavina Gulapa,” PCOL. Jay Dimaandal, Director of Pampanga PPO, said.

Later that day, Rojelio Gulapa returned from a rice delivery and discovered his wife lying in a pool of blood.

“Pagkadating po ni Mr. Rojelio Gulapa after po niyang mag-deliver ng bigas, ‘yun nakita na po niya na duguan na itong si Mrs. Lavina,” Dimaandal added.

Santiago now faces robbery with homicide charges and remains in police custody as authorities prepare legal proceedings.