Suspect admits killing taxi driver

One of the two prime suspects in robbing and killing a taxi driver in Sitio Happy Valley, Barangay Labangon, Cebu City on Tuesday evening confessed to the police yesterday that he killed the victim.

Arman Patulan, 21, told the police that he shot Jose Sering Jr., 56.

Sering was a retired policeman from Bohol and was temporarily living in Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City.

A .38 caliber pistol with four live ammunition was recovered from Patulan during the follow-up operation of the police at his residence in Sitio LutawLutaw, Barangay Labangon, Cebu City.

Investigation and Detection Management Branch (IDMB) chief Police Superintendent Ryan Devaras said the gun used in the crime was owned by Carlito Borbon, but it was Patulan who shot Sering.

However, Devaras said police will still conduct forensic examination on the evidence recovered to determine the actual assailant.

“Ato kinahanglan i-undergo sila og scientific examination which is ballistics to prove kung kinsa nagpatay para naa tay evidence,” said Devaras.

The ballistics examination will also help the police in determining whether the firearm recovered was also used in other crimes.

Both Patulan and Borbon will be facing robbery with homicide case, while the other arrested suspects, Mancera and Amigable, will be charged for illegal possession of deadly weapons.

Devaras said the suspects were known to be involved in other robbery cases in the area.

Both Borbon and Patulan, together with Jano Mancera, 19, and John Ian Amigable, 18, were arrested by the operatives during a follow-up operation on Wednesday.

Sering suffered a gunshot wound to his head and abdomen, which resulted to his instantaneous death.

There were also witnesses who pinpointed Borbon and Patulan as the suspects in the rob-slay case.

Last October 22, another robbery incident involving a taxi driver also took place in the area, which prompted operatives to tighten security there.

“We still have conduct operation, basin naa pa'y mga remnants. Continue ang pag-conduct og monitoring and evaluation sa area,” said Devaras. —