ILOILO CITY — A month after the killing of an 89-year-old woman in this city, police have arrested the suspect during an entrapment operation targeting the illegal sale of firearms in the neighboring town of Oton.
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) said the suspect, identified only by the alias Pablo, was arrested on June 28 in Barangay Poblacion West, Oton, Iloilo.
The 35-year-old suspect had been under investigation in connection with the death of Virginia Jacildo, an 89-year-old resident of Ledesco Village, Barangay Tabuc Suba, La Paz, who was killed inside her home on May 24.
Authorities said the suspect was caught after allegedly selling a .38 caliber revolver to an undercover police operative.
Recovered from the suspect were the .38 caliber revolver, six rounds of live ammunition, a hand grenade, P3,500 in marked money used in the operation, additional cash believed to be proceeds from the transaction and a backpack containing personal belongings.
The suspect is currently under the custody of the Iloilo City Intelligence Unit and is facing charges for violations of Republic Act (RA) 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and RA 9516, which penalizes the unlawful possession of explosives.
Police are also preparing charges related to the robbery with homicide case involving Jacildo.
The operation stemmed from information provided by a woman who sought police assistance. The woman first contacted the police about three weeks ago.
Investigators said the suspect had been communicating with the woman online and wanted to meet her.
However, because he reportedly needed money, he allegedly asked her to find a buyer for his .38 caliber revolver for P3,500.
Several weeks later, the woman allegedly discovered that the man she had been communicating with was also the suspect in the killing of the elderly woman.
She immediately coordinated with police, prompting authorities to plan an entrapment operation.
Using the woman as an intermediary, police arranged the supposed sale of the firearm, leading to the suspect’s arrest.
Personal grudge
Police said one of the motives being explored is a possible personal grudge.
Investigators disclosed that the suspect had previously worked on a property owned by the victim’s family and was later dismissed. Pablo is a resident of Barangay Najus-an, Mambusao, Capiz.
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the victim’s residence showed a man entering the house at around 8:05 a.m. on May 24.
The footage was reportedly reviewed by the victim’s child, who works as a nurse in the United States, after noticing unusual activity through the home’s surveillance system.
The investigation indicated that the elderly victim was allegedly assaulted and dragged from one part of the house before being brought to a bedroom.
The CCTV footage also showed the suspect taking cash and a wristwatch from the victim’s bag.
ICPO director Col. Wilbert Parilla said the arrest demonstrates the police force’s determination to track down fugitives and ensure accountability.
“Justice may take time, but it will never be denied. This successful operation sends a strong message that no criminal can hide from the law forever. We will relentlessly pursue every fugitive until they are brought before the bar of justice,” he said.