Primary suspect in murder of 2 retired teachers arrested in Cotabato

COTABATO CITY — Police arrested Tuesday the primary suspect in the murder of a couple in Banisilan, North Cotabato province, and recovered a large amount of cash and some of the victims’ jewelry, police said.

Brig. Gen. Alan Manibog, regional director of the Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12), said the suspect, alias “Meroy,” 53, a distant relative of the victims, was arrested at about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Sitio Kib-al, Barangay Guiling, Alamada, North Cotabato.

He was the primary suspect in the Oct. 4 murder of Edwin Galeno, 81, and his wife, Elsa, 82, both retired teachers and residents of Barangay Poblacion 2, Banisilan, North Cotabato.

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Col. Ramel Hojilla, North Cotabato police provincial director, said the stabbing incident occurred at about 3 a.m. Oct. 4.

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READ: Couple in their 80s killed in North Cotabato home

He said the suspect was arrested in less than 72 hours through a hot-pursuit operation supported by continuous area monitoring and coordination.

Hojilla said Maj. Arvin John Basilio Cambang, Banisilan police chief, arrested “Meroy” with the help of the suspect’s relatives.

“The ongoing investigation revealed that the suspect’s motive was a personal grudge after the victims refused to lend him money,” Hojilla said.

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“My appreciation and commendation to all personnel involved in the successful arrest of the suspect in less than 72 hours. Your relentless hot pursuit, effective strategy, and teamwork led to swift justice and gave the bereaved families a measure of closure. Excellent work. Keep up the good work,” Manibog said.

North Cotabato Provincial Board Member Shirlyn “Neneng” Macasarte also lauded the swift action of law enforcers.

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Macasarte witnessed the accounting and inventory of the victims’ belongings at the crime scene, including P1 million in cash that the couple had recently withdrawn from the bank, jewelry and important documents.

“The suspect apparently attempted, but failed, to open the cabinet that served as their safe,” Macasarte said in a statement.

She said the immediate family also expressed their deepest gratitude to the police for the swift response and action, to Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza for her direct guidance and concern, and to everyone who worked tirelessly to identify, locate and apprehend the suspect.

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“May this swift action bring the family one step closer to justice and closure,” she said. /das