Three suspects are now in police custody following the killing of an American national in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, while authorities continue to hunt down another suspect who remains at large.
On July 16, The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) said two suspects were arrested and another voluntarily surrendered following sustained hot pursuit operations by the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) “Carpenter.”
Arrested were Mark Bucog Oracoy, 26, of Brgy. Ajong, Sibulan, at around 9:56 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, and Jal Piañar Filipinas, 40, also of Brgy. Ajong, at around 10:35 p.m. the same day.
At around 4:06 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, Ciem Mansing Diputado, 21, likewise a resident of Brgy. Ajong, voluntarily surrendered to authorities.
The suspects were taken into custody in connection with the robbery with homicide case that claimed the life of 73-year-old American national Kent Edward Carpenter.
The arrests stemmed from the investigation being conducted by the Sibulan Municipal Police Station and SITG Carpenter, with the assistance of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Negros Oriental, the Provincial Intelligence Unit, and other police units.
Police said the suspects were informed of their constitutional rights and are now undergoing documentation and inquest proceedings while appropriate criminal charges are being prepared.
PRO-NIR Director BGen. Romano Cardiño described the arrests and surrender as a major breakthrough in the investigation.
He said follow-up operations are ongoing to locate and arrest the remaining suspect identified during the investigation.
Police assured the victim’s family, the foreign community, and the public that authorities will continue pursuing everyone involved in the crime until all those responsible are brought before the court.*
[sibwp_form id=1]