3 in ‘puso boy’ death arrested

CEBU, Philippines — In less than 24 hours after the crime was committed, police arrested all three suspects behind the fatal death of a “puso” delivery boy who was mauled and later shot dead in Barangay Pasil, Cebu City earlier this week.

It was previously reported that on Monday afternoon, January 26, a 35-year-old man identified as Jovannie Millanes Ruelan, a resident of the said place, was killed by one of his three neighbors.

Police identified the gunman as Ryan Kenneth Baring, 27, also a resident of the same place.

Meanwhile, the two other suspects were identified as Neil Mahusay, 22, a resident of Barangay Pasil, and Robin Roxas Dacsil, 19, from Barangay Calamba.

According to the initial investigation of the Sawang Calero Police Station 6, Ruelan got into trouble with Baring’s group due to an argument that later escalated into a fistfight.

Reportedly, Ruelan managed to defeat the three men, prompting Baring to pull out a gun and shoot the victim in the waist twice, causing him to fall to the ground while the suspects fled.

The victim was immediately rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center but died a few hours later.

Following the incident, the Cebu City Police Office launched a manhunt operation, which eventually led to the arrest of Baring at dawn on Tuesday, January 27.

During the arrest, police recovered a .38 revolver loaded with three bullets, believed to have been used in killing the victim.

Hours later, Mahusay and Dacsil were also apprehended separately at their respective residences.

Seized from the possession of Mahusay was a Black Widow 9mm caliber revolver with one live bullet and a fired cartridge, which is also suspected to have been used during the crime. A red shirt that he wore on the day of the incident was also recovered by authorities.

The three suspects are currently under the custody of Sawang Calero Police Station 6, pending the formal filing of murder charges against them.

Both Baring and Mahusay will face additional charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 for illegal possession of firearms, in accordance with the gun ban imposed for increased security in line with the ongoing events during the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026 in Cebu.

Wanted sales agent arrested in Naga

After more than four years of hiding in a mountainous area in Naga City, Cebu, a former sales agent wanted by police for 13 counts of Qualified Theft was arrested on Monday evening, January 26, during a verification routine conducted by city police.

The accused was identified only by the alias “Rod,” presently residing at Purok Cueva, Barangay Alpaco, City of Naga, Cebu.

According to a report from the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO), upon verification through the E-Warrant System by personnel from the City of Naga Police Station, it was confirmed that the suspect had an active and valid Warrant of Arrest for 13 counts of Qualified Theft under Article 310 of the Revised Penal Code.

Records disclosed that the warrant was issued on December 6, 2023, by the Regional Trial Court – National Capital Region, Branch 223, in Quezon City, with recommended bail set at P94,000 for the said cases.

Based on initial investigation, the suspect was a former sales agent of a private company, where he was tasked with collecting and remitting sales.

Additionally, an audit uncovered discrepancies in his remittances, which led to the filing of criminal complaints against him.

It was also learned that the suspect reportedly moved and hid in a mountainous area in the City of Naga in December 2021 to evade arrest.

Currently, the suspect is detained at the custody of the City of Naga Police Station, awaiting turnover to the issuing court. — /IHM (FREEMAN)