Police nab two suspects in death of abducted man

CEBU, Philippines — Two men were arrested in connection with the killing of a 57-year-old man who was allegedly abducted before being found dead along a roadside in Cebu City on Sept. 3.

The suspects were arrested early Saturday, Sept. 5. Police identified them only by their aliases “Retchie,” 30, and “Ace,” 49.

Retchie was arrested around 3 a.m. in Barangay Ermita, Cebu City, while Ace was arrested around 5 a.m. in Cogon, Pardo, police said.

Authorities traced the suspects through closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage. Police also said both had previous criminal records.

According to police, the two suspects admitted their involvement in the killing of Leo Leaño, a resident of Barangay Nangka, Consolacion, and claimed they were paid by an alleged mastermind.

Authorities said they have already established the identity of the alleged mastermind, although they did not say whether the person has been arrested.

Two other suspects allegedly involved in the killing remain at large.

Leaño was reported abducted in Consolacion on Sept. 3 while reportedly on his way to watch a cockfight.

His child was the last to see him alive at around 10 a.m. that day when he left their home for a neighboring barangay.

CCTV footage showed Leaño riding his motorcycle before stopping along a road. A man wearing a black shirt was then seen approaching him before he was allegedly forced into a vehicle.

The footage reportedly also captured Leaño pleading with the men not to take him. Police believe a red vehicle was used in the abduction.

His whereabouts remained unknown until his body was found past 1 p.m. along a roadside in sitio Morga, Barangay Sudlon 1, Cebu City.

Leaño sustained gunshot wounds to the head and body. His wrists were also tied in front of him with a cord commonly used for tethering fighting cocks.

Police are looking into the possibility that Leaño was killed in a so-called “salvage”-style execution, although authorities have yet to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) and Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) launched a joint investigation since the alleged abduction took place in Consolacion, which is under CPPO jurisdiction, while the body was found in Cebu City, under CCPO jurisdiction.

Police had earlier traced a vehicle believed to have been used in the crime and identified possible suspects as the investigation progressed.

CCPO chief Police Colonel Ricky Sumalde ordered a deeper investigation and the immediate arrest of those responsible.

Police have yet to establish the motive for Leaño’s killing. One of the angles being investigated is a possible land dispute.

In a separate incident, two other men were arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 29-year-old farmer in Barangay Nalhub, Dalaguete, Cebu.

The suspects were identified through their aliases “Ken,” 24, and “Bem-bem,” 29. Both are residents of the same barangay.

They were arrested around 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, following a hot-pursuit operation by the Dalaguete Municipal Police Station.

Police said eyewitness accounts helped investigators identify the two suspects and establish their alleged involvement in the shooting.

The victim was attacked while driving his motorcycle and carrying baskets of vegetables along a barangay road in Nalhub on Thursday evening, Sept. 3.

He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene.

Investigators recovered two empty shell casings believed to have come from a .45-caliber firearm, as well as two misfired rounds, from the crime scene.

Police said the suspects allegedly acted together in carrying out the shooting.

Both are being detained at the Dalaguete Municipal Police Station while investigators continue to determine the motive behind the killing.

Murder charges are being prepared against the suspects in both cases. — (FREEMAN)