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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Suspect in murder of village chair in Cebu in 2024 arrested

Suspect in murder of village chair in Cebu in 2024 arrested

Published Feb 18, 2025 12:25 pm

CEBU CITY – A 26-year-old man was arrested for his alleged involvement in last year’s broad daylight killing of a barangay captain and his wife in Asturias town, Cebu province.

UBALDE.jpg

ROBERT Ubalde was arrested as a suspect in the killing of a barangay captain and his wife in Asturias town, Cebu last year. (Contributed photo)

Police said Robert Ubalde was the driver of the getaway motorcycle used to kill Mario Delfin Tundag and his wife Edna last March 14.

The couple was aboard a motorcycle driven by Mario when they were gunned down by motorcycle-riding assailants on the national highway.

Mario was the barangay captain of Maguiao, Asturias at the time.

Police Lt. Col. Regino Maramag, intelligence officer of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Central Visayas, said a warrant of arrest was issued against Ubalde and his alleged cohort.

After he was arrested, Ubalde identified his cohort who served as the gunman as Leonard Capre Manatad.

Maramag said Ubalde was identified based on footage of a surveillance camera.

The suspect was not wearing a helmet when he was captured by a surveillance camera outside the town’s municipal hall before the attack happened, Maramag said.

After the suspect was identified, charges were filed against him and his cohort.

Maramag said close monitoring was conducted after they received information that Ubalde was frequenting Barangay Subangdaku in Mandaue City to visit relatives.

The suspect was cornered on Monday afternoon, Feb. 17.

Police learned that Ubalde was previously arrested and incarcerated at the Mandaue City Jail for drug charges.

Personal grudges were the motive in the killing of the Tundags, police said.

Maramag said someone hired Ubalde and his cohort to kill the couple.

Ubalde allegedly admitted that they were paid P40,000 to carry out the crime.

Ubalde showed remorse when he was presented to the media on Tuesday, Feb. 18

“Mangayo kog pasaylo sa pamilya sa biktima nadala ra gyud ko sa kwarta (I want to ask forgiveness from the family of the victims. I was tempted because of money)," said Ubalde.

Related Tags

Deaths Asturias Murder Cebu province Barangay captain
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