5 men surrender 1 year after murdering farmer in NCotabato

KIDAPAWAN City, Philippines - Five suspects in the killing of a Visayan farmer in Magpet town last year surprisingly surrendered to the police Wednesday, ending their almost 13 months of “hide-and-seek” with the authorities.

Suspects Randy Tayco, Jepoy Pasador, Tikboy Carcillar, Randy Raposo, and Wowie Pedroso, all residents of Barangay Datu Celo in Magpet town in this province, surrendered to the North Cotabato provincial police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

The five suspects readily admitted to the police that they are principal suspects in the killing of their Visayan farmer neighbor, identified only as Mongcal, on June 24, 2012.

The five suspects went into hiding immediately after learning that Judge Rogelio Ledesma of the Regional Trial Court Branch 22 had issued warrants for their arrest.

The five suspects beat Mongcal to death following a heated argument during their drinking session.

Chief Inspector Elmer Guevarra, provincial chief of the CIDG, said all of the suspects have expressed readiness to face the criminal case filed against them.

“I don’t know what prompted them to come together to us and surrender. They will have their day in court,” Guevarra said.

Guevarra said that according to the suspects, they decided to surrender after exchanging several text messages last week.