Authorities have arrested the two men who allegedly shot a male pageant candidate in Cagayan de Oro City in 2023.

According to the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10), the suspects were arrested in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur by virtue of a warrant for murder. No bail was recommended.

PRO-10 said the 37-year-old suspect was a former employee of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) while the 35-year-old suspect is a nurse.

Police said both suspects are residents of Pagadian City and allegedly involved in gun-for-hire activities, which is still subject for validation.

Authorities said a witness identified the two suspects positively.

“Gipadalhan sila og subpoena ang mga respondent nga atong gi-serve og warrant. Niagi pa gyud og due process, niagi og preliminary. Gipa-counter affidavit pa sila. Direct participation wherein involved gyud sila based sa gipang-istorya sa atong bag-ong witness,” Police Station 1 Commander, Capt. Byron-Joh Ratunil, said.

Police said a case is being built for a third suspect.

One of the accused, Pastor Dimver Andales, was charged and arrested in October 2023.

“Way back 2023 until now airtight atong kaso, wala gyud nato napasagdan. Rest assured nga ang trabaho sa pulis pag-assist ug unsa pa makaya nato nga assistance ato ihatag within the bounds of law,” Ratunil added.

It can be recalled that the 24-year-old victim, Adriane Rovic Fornillos, was shot dead while he was on his way to his mentor’s house in Barangay Nazareth to practice his performance for the pageant in May 2023.

The victim sustained a gunshot wound in the head and was rushed to the hospital. He did not survive a severe brain injury.

The suspects are now detained.

“The arrest of the accused behind this heinous crime stands as a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice by our police personnel. I commend the seamless coordination and strong partnership among our units in Regions 10 and 9, which made this breakthrough possible. Let this serve as a strong warning to anyone who would take another person’s life: you cannot hide from the law,” PRO-10 Director, Brigadier General Rolindo Suguilon, said.