Suspect in killing of Cebu voice coach surrenders

CEBU, Philippines — A 21-year-old man has surrendered to police and has reportedly admitted to killing Cebu voice coach Joel Jude  Jay  Unchuan, whose body was found dumped in a secluded area in Naga City, Cebu, last Dec. 30, 2023.

The suspect, Sanny Lumangca, 21, a native of Purok 2 Bitoon, Clarin, Misamis Occidental, surrendered last Friday, Jan.12, 2024 to Naga City Police.

According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Police Regional Office (PRO)-7, Lumangca has given his extrajudicial confession, which was witnessed by two independent lawyers.

Pelare said they found out Lumangca's identity through the dashcam inside Unchuan s SUV. The vehicle was discovered in the town of Liloan, northern Cebu, days after the victim s body was found.

Pelare added that apart from dashcam footage, they also have other evidence on Lumangca.

After surrendering, the suspect narrated to police the crime, which reportedly started with him and Unchuan fighting.

 Accordingly if you are going to base it in the extrajudicial confession dili pirmiro nga nagkita sila. Naa na sila y daan nga panagkita then mura og ikaduha nato nga nagkita sila then naay mga wala sila magkasinabtanay sa ilang pagsabot tapos nahulog og lalis then mao nato ang nahitabo,  Pelare said, adding that Lumangca mentioned the he killed Lumangca inside the car while they were in Mandaue City.

The police have yet to determine why the suspect left Unchuan s body in Naga City.

Further, Lumangca told police he was the only one behind the killing of Unchuan. But Pelare said they are not closing the case just yet as they are still investigating whether the suspect acted alone. The police have earlier mentioned that they were looking into several individuals and their involvement in the crime.

Pelare also stressed that they would need to validate Lumangca s extrajudicial confession if it will match the police s investigation, including backtracking of CCTV footage and other pieces of evidence.

But with the suspect s confession, Pelare said they have basis to file a murder case against him. (CEBU NEWS)