The suspect in the murder of a woman in Barangay Baritan, Malabon City on Monday, Aug. 22, was arrested by cops in Bulacan, the city police chief confirmed on Tuesday, Aug. 23.
In a phone interview with Manila Bulletin, Malabon City Police Station (MCPS) chief Col. Albert Barot said the suspect, Jaemark Reyes, 26, of Barangay Flores in the city, was arrested with the help of video footages from closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the area.
He was nabbed by joint forces of the MCPS and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-North (CIDG-North) while sleeping in a house owned by his grandfather in Malolos, Bulacan at around 3 a.m. on Tuesday.
Police said the victim, identified as Lovely Ann Villagomez, 29, was killed by Reyes by means of manual strangulation inside her house in Barangay Baritan at around 1:10 p.m. on Monday.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Barot said that members of the MCPS and CIDG were dispatched at around 7 p.m. after the victim’s boyfriend reported to them about the discovery of her body.
Barot said that the victim’s boyfriend decided to go to Villagomez's house at around 6 p.m. on Monday because he was not able to contact her since 2 p.m.
The victim was found on the floor, lifeless, and without her shorts and underwear. The victim’s dog was also killed.
A CCTV footage showed the suspect, wearing a printed purple t-shirt and carrying a bag, was walking around the area. Reyes went inside the victim's house and he later left clad in a yellow t-shirt at around 1:55 p.m.
Another footage showed that Reyes rode an e-tricycle and proceeded to Barangay Flores.
The police chief also said that they were able to talk to the driver of the three-wheeled vehicle and to a relative of the suspect, to whom he admitted committing the crime before fleeing to Bulacan.
Authorities recovered the yellow shirt inside the suspect’s bag.
Reyes, who has a previous illegal drug case, will be charged with murder, resistance and disobedience, police said.
It added that a rape case will be filed against the suspect once the accusation is proven by the results of the victim’s medico-legal examination.
“My prayers go out to the family of Lovely Villagomez as they attempt to heal from the pain and trauma that they are going through at the moment. Malabon will not tolerate any form of violence. Tragic situations like this highlight the need for every resident to be vigilant in ensuring that no harm will come upon anyone else,” Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval said.
“Ang lungsod ng Malabon ay magiging mapagmatyag at sisiguraduhin ang kaayusan at kapayapan sa pagtutulungan ng ating kapulisan, NPD (Northern Police District) po and Malabon Police force, upang mapanatili ang seguridad ng lahat (The City of Malabon will be vigilant and will ensure order and peace with the cooperation of our police, NPD (Northern Police District) and Malabon Police force, to maintain everyone’s security),” she added.
Sandoval said that she has already talked with victim’s family and will help them for their needs including the wake and burial of the victim.
“Nais ko din pong bigyan ng mensahe ang mga taga-Malabon na magpanatag kayo ng inyong loob. Nagtatrabaho po ang inyong kapulisan. Nandito rin po ang lokal na pamahalaan na hindi magpapabaya para ang peace and order, kaayusan at katahimikan ng Malabon ay mapanatili natin (I also want to give a message to the people of Malabon to remain calm. Your police is working. The local government is also here working to maintain the peace and order in Malabon),” the mayor said.