Fourth suspect in rob-slay of priest falls in Camotes

CEBU, Philippines – Like dominoes they have fallen one after another. The fourth suspect in the robbery and killing of Fr. Jovencio Rabusa was arrested yesterday morning at his mother’s home in San Francisco town, Camotes Island.

PO3 Eliezer Canada of the Camotes Police Station said Jonas “Tingloy” Turawan, 20, arrived in the island Wednesday, two days after the murder of Rabusa.

He was arrested in a joint operation by the San Francisco and Talisay City police. PO1 Edwin Denila went to Camotes from Talisay to make the arrest.

The suspect has already been turned over to the Talisay City Police after an hour-long boat ride to Danao City, and about two-hour road trip.

Turawan, a native of Camotes, is reportedly a member of the notorious robbery group in Cansojong, which has been tagged responsible for the death of Rabusa Monday night at the Cebu South Coastal Road near the Phoenix gas station in barangay Cansojong.

Turawan actually lives in Cansojong, where he reportedly has a wife.

The other suspects — Gerald Tradio, 18, and the alleged triggerman Ruselo “Racel” Rabanes, 28, are already in police custody after their arrest last Wednesday.

A 15-year-old has also been arrested in relation to the crime.

He was turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development where he will undergo counseling.

The 46-year-old Rabusa was the assistant parish priest of St. Francis de Assisi in Naga.

The suspects reportedly took the two mobile phones of the priest and his bag containing personal items.

The bag was found the next day by a resident of Cansojong as it was thrown into a lot planted with bananas.

Tradio and the minor were arrested in separate houses in Cansojong, while Rabanes was nabbed in barangay Tangke.

Supt. Henry Binas said that Tradio will face illegal possession of firearms and illegal drugs charges. Police confiscated a .38 caliber revolver and two decks of shabu from him during his arrest.

Tradio will also face a case for robbery with homicide along with Rabanes and Turawan. —/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)