MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Wednesday commended the Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 (Central Luzon) for its swift action in resolving the killing of online seller couple Arvin and Lerma Lulu in Pampanga province.
This came after the police arrested the suspects in the killing — Arnold Taylan, Arnel Buan, Robert Dimaliwat, Rolando Cruz, Jomie Rabandaban, Sancho Nieto, and the alleged mastermind, Anthony Limon in two-day operations from October 13 to October 14.
“Justice cannot wait. The PNP will stop at nothing to ensure that every victim of violence receives the justice they deserve. The swift arrest of these suspects is a testament to our unwavering commitment to uphold the rule of law and protect the innocent,” Marbil said in a statement.
Marbil also emphasized that violence driven by greed or any motive has no place in society.
Taylan and Buan, who gunned down the couple in Mexico town on October 4, were the first to be nabbed by the Mexico Municipal Police Station and Pampanga Police Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) in Nueva Ecija province.
The tandem’s initial testimonies led to the subsequent arrest of the five other suspects in Apalit town.
Initial investigation showed that Limon, also an online seller, owes the victims PHP13-million, which is a potential motive for the crime.
It was also revealed that Limon hired the assailants for PhP 900, 000 to kill the couple and steal critical items from their residence.
The suspects have also admitted their involvement in at least 12 other shooting incidents across the provinces of Pampanga, Bataan, and Nueva Ecija.
The suspects would face charges of double murder while further investigations are underway to determine the involvement of additional individuals, including the mastermind’s spouse. (PNA)