Slay suspects surrender, charged

CEBU, Philippines - Murder charges were filed against the two suspects in the killing of a former barangay captain of Vito, Minglanilla last Saturday evening.

Facing charges are Roberto “Junber” Villamor Peregrino, 37, and Rogelio “Junior Takla” Paran Cabatuan, 18. The two voluntarily surrendered to Jaime Caomiran, a former councilman of Barangay Vito, last Monday morning. They are currently detained at the Minglanilla police stockade.

A certain “Ciano,” a close relative of Peregrino, positively identified the two as the ones who allegedly killed Nonito Alicamen, 50. Alicamen was shot dead while sitting outside his house around 9:30 pm last Saturday. He sustained three gunshot wounds on his body and was declared dead on arrival at the Minglanilla District Hospital.

Police investigation revealed that the suspects, armed with a .38 revolver, arrived onboard a motorcycle and without provocation shot the victim repeatedly before fleeing.

Policemen recovered a deformed slug of a .38 revolver and a pair of blue slippers believed to be owned by one of the suspects.

Further investigation revealed that Alicamen and Peregrino have not been in good terms since last year owing to a land dispute.

A day before the incident, the two reportedly had an argument over the land during which Alicamen allegedly punched Peregrino on the face. Their neighbors had to intervene to prevent further trouble.

Peregrino and Cabatuan became the subject of a hot pursuit operation after “Ciano” told the police he heard Peregrino saying that he and Cabatuan needed to hide somewhere in an upland barangay because they committed a crime against a former politician.

Peregrino said his conscience pushed him and Cabatuan to surrender. — (FREEMAN)