A member of Task Group Samal in Samal Island, Davao del Norte was arrested after he was pointed to as the one who allegedly hacked a couple to death.

The couple’s two-year-old child was unharmed and is now under the custody of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

The couple lived right across the Task Group Samal Patrol Base in Barangay Villarica and security camera has captured the suspect entering the victims’ rented house around 1 a.m. on Friday, October 17, 2025.

Authorities are looking into the suspect’s reported attraction to the female victim as possible motive in the killing.

The female victim was subjected to medico-legal examination to determine if she was assaulted sexually.

“Sa tan-aw nako, mura’g naibog siya (sa babae) kay may nasulti siya nga mga indicator nga naa siyay panlantaw sa babae,” IGACOS PNP Chief, Lt. Col. Hamlet Lerios, said.

Mayor Toto Reyes was quick to offer a P100,000 reward for information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest.

“Pagkabalo nako, nag-post dayon ko’g reward, P100,000, kung kinsay makatudlo aron paspas ang investigation… peaceful man gud ang Samal… among gina-ampingan nga magpadayon ang kahapsay sa atong syudad so kaning mga ingon ani, di gyud nato ni madawat nga panghitabo,” Reyes said.

The suspect who was on duty at that time was arrested and was presented to Reyes on Saturday, October 18.

Tension erupted when the suspect faced the victims’ family.

“Mura’g dili makaon og tao, mura’g hayop ang iyahang gibuhat, gitadtad ang ulo mura’g di ko kadawat... sakit kaayo,” the father of the male victim said.

“Gituyo to sa akong bayaw nga didto sila magpa-atubang kay para safe dayon ingon ato diay mahitabo,” the brother of the female victim added.

The suspect reportedly owned up to the crime and claimed that he was under the influence of alcohol when he attacked the couple.

Authorities said the suspect had been a member of the Task Group Samal since 2011, which is now under the administrative and operational control of the Task Force Davao.

All members of the Task Group Samal who were on duty at the patrol base at that time have since been replaced.

“Nagpasalig man pud ang TF nga i-pull out ang tanang tropa aron ilisan og regular nga military… diri, naa tay 100 nga gina-sweldohan sa LGU nga ginatawag nato og CAA 6 ra man yata na ilang training bago pasudlon… kinahanglan maka-drug test ug mag-undergo og neuro (test) gyud,” Reyes said.

“We will not take this for granted, alam namin na possibility maraming dapat ayusin ginagawan namin ng paraan para ma evaluate namin kung ano yong pagkukulang ng mga personnel namin and to also our systems and processes to include yong mga personal na possible problem na makikita natin para at least maiwasan na natin ang ganitong insidente,” Task Force Davao Commander, Col. Sony Marinas, added.

The suspect will face double murder charges.