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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider 5 suspects in murder of bizwoman, companion in Nueva Ecija nabbed

5 suspects in murder of bizwoman, companion in Nueva Ecija nabbed

Published Mar 13, 2026 02:22 pm

Police have arrested five suspects – four men and a woman – in the murder and burning of a businesswoman and her companion in Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija this week.
Police Col. Ritchie R. Claravall, Nueva Ecija police chief, said four suspects were apprehended in follow-up operations in Barangay Siempre Viva Sur, Mallig, Isabela on Wednesday, March 11, two days after the victims’ bodies were discovered in Barangay Sinasajan on Monday, March 9. 
The fifth was nabbed in Nueva Ecija.
Claravall credited intelligence-driven operations, including backtracking and closed-circuit television camera analysis, for their arrest in less than 48 hours after the crime.
The severely burned bodies of the victims – rescuer Michael Odchigue and businesswoman Regine Espinosa – were discovered at about 10:40 a.m. inside a torched Toyota Wigo.
The suspects were taken to Peñaranda Municipal Police Station for documentation and custodial procedures. Inquest proceedings for murder have been conducted before the Prosecutor’s Office.
Police are determining if a debt owed by one of the suspects to the Espinosa and an apartment deal gone wrong are the motives of the crime. 

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