Suspect in athlete's murder arrested

Two witnesses have identified the alleged killer of a former school athlete last March 16 who was shot inside the compound of the Land Transportation Office in Looc, Mandaue City. The alleged killer was arrested for theft just the other day.

The Mandaue police identified the suspect as one Jodan Beliocilo, 23, of sitio Paradise, Looc, Mandaue City. He is accused of killing one Herlo Flores, 23, of barangay Looc. Beliocilo was arrested on the strength of a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court presiding Judge Ulric Cañete of Branch 55 in Mandaue City.

Police said two witnesses named Meljune Descartin and Joebert Lano of barangay Looc went to the police headquarters and positively identified Beliocilo as the same person who shot to death Flores.

Flores was standing outside Window No. 2 of the LTO office in Mandaue City shortly before noon on March 16 waiting for the release of his driver's license when a lone gunman came up to him and fired three shots from a .45 caliber pistol into his chest. He died on the spot.

Flores was an athletics scholar and member of the track and field varsity team of the University of Southern Philippines before dropping out of school this year.

Another man, a 46-year-old driver named Alejandro Pepito who was also waiting nearby for the release of his license, was hit by a stray bullet on his ankle.

Police will file murder and attempted murder against Beliocilo.

He is presently detained at the Mandaue City jail.