CAMP BGEN. VICENTE LIM, Laguna -- Three people, including a businessman, who were allegedly behind the killing of two women in Tiaong town, were arrested by the Tiaong Police during a hot pursuit operation on Wednesday morning, Nov. 30.
Police Regional Office 4A (PRO4A) regional director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez identified the suspects as Danny De Guzman, 39, driver of the getaway vehicle; Randy Malabanan, 44, gunman, and Totie Laigo, 64, businessman, also the gunman.
Malabanan was previously arrested for violation of R.A. 10591 (Illegal Possession of Firearms).
The three were the alleged suspects in the death of Lani Caya, 26, a resident of Brgy. San Juan, and Jessica Tambado, 28, of Brgy. Lalig, in Tiaong town.
The incident happened at around 10 in the evening of Nov. 29 (Tuesday) at the house of Tambado in Tiaong town.
The suspects arrived at the house of Tambado and shot the victims for no apparent reason, hitting them on different parts of their bodies. Both victims died on the spot.
The Tiaong police acted with dispatch and readily interviewed the witnesses, reviewed Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera footage from the place of the incident.
After identifying the get-away vehicle, the pursuing policemen were also able to trace the suspects’ escape route which led to a house of businessman Laigo’s house in Barangay Kaybagal North in Tagaytay City.
The police kept their relentless manhunt operation that led to the arrest of the suspects on Wednesday morning, Nov. 30. No details on how the suspects were arrested.
Recovered from the suspects were the two pistols – a Glock .40 Gen 4 pistol with one magazine and seven bullets, and Colt Gold Cup Trophy Model caliber .45 loaded with four bullets – believed to be used in the crime.
The white sedan allegedly used as a getaway vehicle was also found and is not in the police custody.
Initial investigation by Tiaong police revealed that the motive of the killing is considered a crime of passion with jealousy because suspect Laigo admitted to investigators that he had an affair with victim Caya and that he got enraged after learning that Caya was involved with another man.
Laigo also said that he felt betrayed after allegedly spending millions and even entrusting some of his properties to the victim, according to the report.
The suspects are now under the custody of Tiaong Philippine National Police for further investigation and also for the filing of appropriate charges against them.
“I am likewise thanking the witnesses for their cooperation to resolve this incident immediately,” said Nartatez.
“Malaking tulong ang pakiki-pagtulungan ng mga residente sa mga insidenteng tulad nito. Kaya naman patuloy ang aming panawagan sa publiko na makiisa sa ating kampanya kontra krimen sa ating komunidad at agarang isuplong sa mga otoridad ang ano mang krimen na matutunghayan,” added Nartatez.