CEBU, Philippines - Police are backtracking previous robbery suspects in midwest Cebu believing that the robber who escaped last Sunday’s stabbing incident in Buanoy, Balamban was the one who actually killed the victim.
Sr. Insp. Ramil Morpos, Cebu Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch investigator, said there is a big possibility that the second perpetrator in last Sunday’s incident, which left Jonalyn Abendan dead, is involved in a series of highway robberies in the towns of Balamban, Asturias, and Tuburan, and in Toledo City.
“Kadtong among gisegihan og follow-up mura’g mao ra ni, pero from time to time, the PIDMB is exchanging notes with the Balamban police,†Morpos said.
In a separate interview, Chief Insp. Richard Oliver, chief of Balamban police, said that aside from being a robber, the suspect was also a drug personality.
“Sa among nakuha nga impormasyon, naa ni siya’y problema sa asawa tungod sa iyang bisyo, unya namahad nga patyon maong buwag ni sila karon,†said Oliver.
Oliver disclosed that they have leads and that they are just still tracking down the robber who is still in their area of responsibility.
The other suspect, Cesar Carmelotes, 43, who has been arrested and is now detained, continues to deny his involvement in the crime. He has been identified by Abendan’s 14-year-old daughter.
The robbers gained entry to Abenda’s house Sunday dawn by destroying the wooden grill of the dirty kitchen.
They then hogtied Abendan and her daughter were both hogtied with a cable wire and brought them inside the comfort room before divesting the victim’s P40,000 cash and gadgets.
When the wire loosened, Abendan reportedly resisted the suspects who then stabbed her several times.
Oliver said they will be filing charges for robbery with homicide and child abuse against the suspects within the week.
Police also expect the arrival of Abendan’s husband today. (FREEMAN)