Suspect in killing Aeta couple falls

CEBU, Philippines - After five days of hiding, the man allegedly responsible for the killing of an Aeta couple in Naga City was arrested by the Provincial Intelligence Branch and the Naga City Police during a manhunt in Barangay Cogon Pardo, Cebu City yesterday morning.

The suspect, Victor Sandoy, 34, a resident of the barangay, attempted to escape but arresting officers caught him just in time.

Sandoy's residence was placed under surveillance for several days but the suspect was seldom seen there. Yesterday morning, PIB operatives received a tip that Sandoy was at home, prompting them to conduct the operation.

Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador said Sandoy was first seen with a caliber .45 pistol tucked in his waist. Before the police could get near him, Sandoy reportedly immediately ran to escape. Authorities caught him just before he could board the Starex van.

Confiscated from him was his licensed caliber .45 pistol but with an expired permit to carry, 13 bullets of a caliber .45 pistol placed inside the ammunition box, two .38 special ammunition, and two magazines loaded with seven bullets of caliber .45 pistol.

Sandoy is jailed temporarily at the Naga City stockade pending charges for illegal possession of firearms and double murder.

Identification

Comendador said Sandoy's arrest was based on positive identification of the nine-year-old son of the victims, as well as that of the victim's neighbor who was able to rush to the victims' house right after the killing took place.

Comendador said Junie Albero was still able to identify Sandoy before he passed away. The victim relayed the information to their neighbor.

The couple's son reportedly saw Sandoy's face when the latter flipped open the cover of his full-faced helmet. The child also reportedly familiar with Sandoy because the suspect has visited the victims' house many times before.

"Giwahing man niya ang atubangan sa helmet maong na-identify siya sa bata," he said.

Albero, 30, and Marjilly Sanger, 28, were shot dead inside their house in Barangay South Poblacion, Naga City last Sunday. Junie succumbed to a gunshot wound in his right head and Marjilly in her right eye.

Both were herbal doctors.

The provincial director added that the slug found in the scene matched the two bullets of caliber .38 revolver owned by Sandoy.

Motive

Chief Insp. Mark Gifter Sucalit, deputy chief of the PIB, said the only motive of the crime was the couple's 'business'.

Based on information the police received, the couple would reportedly demand for an amount when someone wanted their service. This information, however, is yet to be verified.

Sucalit said Sandoy who sought help from the couple spent more or less P500,000 just to cure himself as he was suffering from asthma. He however did not disclose the illness of his wife.

In a separate interview, Sandoy denied killing the couple. He said he has been the couple's client for five years because the victims have helped them find good luck through Feng Sui. It was Marjilly who reportedly recited the prayers.

He said he was about to go to the market when the police arrived yesterday. He claimed that he is but a fall guy. (FREEMAN)