The alleged suspect–Simeon Baguiwan, 41, is the younger brother of Johnson’s wife Julie, who is presently in Canada . Johnson was living in Balbalan since 1997 with his wife, although the two were frequenting Canada to attend to their business.
Police officer 2 Constancio Rosito of the Balbalan Police Station said that before the victim’s death, he and his brother-in-law were seen drinking at about 4 p.m. in the house of the victim. Two hours later, a Kalinga tribesman found the Canadian businessman lying on his bed with six hack wounds. Probers did not identify the witnesses for security reasons.
"It appears that the victim was attacked while sleeping because there is no sign of struggle", Rosito said in his affidavit.
Rosito said that Balbalan Chief of Police Basilio Sumail and Balbalan Mayor Jesse Mangaoang immediately formed a task force that arrested the suspect on May 1, near the house of the victim reportedly preparing to flee.