BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO — Police are intensifying their monitoring of John Castro Jr., the primary suspect in the fatal shooting of Barangay Kagawad Joevani Triste in San Rafael, Tigbauan, Iloilo.
Despite public interest in Castro’s whereabouts, authorities remain tight-lipped, revealing only that he is under close surveillance within the Western Visayas region.
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), led by director Police Colonel Bayani Razalan, confirmed the ongoing tracking of Castro.
IPPO spokesperson Police Major Rolando Araño disclosed that while Castro’s exact location cannot be released, he is being “actively monitored” by law enforcement.
On October 28, 2024, murder charges were formally filed against Castro.
That evening, Castro voluntarily surrendered to the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO). Because no arrest warrant was yet issued, he could not be detained; he was thus merely placed temporarily in the custody of a civilian.
During his surrender, Castro confessed to the killing, claiming self-defense.
“We expect Castro to uphold his confession as the case proceeds in court,” said Araño.
A breakthrough in the investigation came when authorities identified the owner of the firearm used by Castro. The gun was traced back to a party-list representative, who has denied any involvement or knowledge of how the weapon ended up in Castro’s possession./PN
