Police have arrested one of the two suspects in the November 15, 2023 bus shooting in Nueva Ecija that killed two people - a 60-year old woman and her 55-year-old live-in partner.

The suspect is identified as Allan Delos Santos, an alleged member of a gun-for-hire group. He was captured in Dilasag, Aurora and was found in possession of the camouflage attire he wore during the shooting, the police said.

Authorities claim that witnesses have come forward and provided crucial information about the gunmen's identity. 

In an extra-judicial confession, Delos Santos alleged that they were commissioned to carry out the crime by the son of the female victim in exchange for ₱60,000.

The police said the murder was premeditated, planned as early as September 2023, with an initial payment made to the suspects during their discussion that month.

"Base sa extra-judicial confession, inamin niya na ang pagpatay ay napagplanuhan noong September. Nagbigay [yung anak] ng initial payment [sakanya] base sa pag-uusap nila noong September," PCol. Richard Caballero, Director of Nueva Ecija PPO, said.

CHARGES FILED

The police have filed parricide charges against the son of the female victim.

This aligns with the evidence found in a video where the female victim explicitly stated that she was revoking her son's rights to her other possessions.

"With regards doon sa anak, lumalabas na in-implicate siya doon sa case. ‘Yung motibo na tiningnan natin, initially, ‘yung filing ng robbery at carnapping ng victim na babae sa sarili niyang anak," Caballero said.

Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the other gunman identified as 'Tumpak.'

"Nakalulungkot kasi kadugo din namin. Kaya lang, gumawa siya ng krimen, pagbayaran niya," said the sister of the female victim.

GMA Regional TV tried but failed to get the statement of the alleged mastermind.

In an exclusive interview with GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon on November 25, 2023, the son urged the public not to judge him. He also appealed for a swift investigation into the case to bring the killer of his mother to justice.