ILOILO City – Operatives of the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Iloilo Field Unit led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Gantang arrested Malabon City’s No. 2 most wanted person on Tuesday evening in Purok Mabinuligon 2, Barangay Sum-ag, Bacolod City.
The 41-year-old Joemer Torres, a murder suspect, was a resident of Purok Mabinuligon 2. The CIDG collared him around 7:30 p.m.
The arrest warrant was issued by Judge Anna Michella Atanacio-Veluz of the Regional Trial Court Branch 169, Malabon City.
Torres was tagged in the death of a former overseas Filipino worker on June 10, 2018 in Malabon City.
“Kalaro niya sa billiards,” said Gantang, referring to the victim.
It was last December 2018 yet when the CIDG Iloilo Field Unit received information about Torres’ whereabouts.
“According sa isang concerned citizen ‘yung suspect nakita niya na nagtatrabaho sa Barangay Cagbang, Oton, Iloilo. We conducted a validation and found out na talagang doon siya. Kaya lang medyo hirap kami. Nang nalaman niya na under surveillance siya, pumunta siya agad ng Bacolod City at doon na nag-stay,” said Gantang.
No bail bond was recommended for Torres’ temporary liberty.
According to Gantang, Torres’ victim was hit on the head and died.
“Sa akin lang, parang pikon itong suspect. Nangyari itong incident habang naglalaro sila lang ng billiards,” said Gantang.
Torres admitted hitting the victim with a billiard cue stick on the head but claimed he had no idea that the latter died.
“Kasabad abi. Gahampang kami, ginakulit kami nga sila man kuno gusto maghampang. Te amo to dayon waay ako kapugong. Nahanot ko siya sang taco ka billiards,” Torres said.
The suspect said he was remorseful.
“Indi ko man tani gusto makapatay sang tawo. Pero anhun ko kay natabo na, atubangon ko na lang ang kaso,” said Torres.
As of this writing, Torres was detained at CIDG Iloilo. He would be transferred to the Malabon City police station./PN
