CEBU, Philippines - A man accused of killing his own mother was arrested by operatives of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB) of the Cebu City Police Office at the Pasil Fish Port yesterday morning.
Eldrid Torreliza, 33, was on his way to fetch his wife and three children from the port when he was arrested. His family came from Bohol and they have planned to greet the New Year together here.
"Paita ani oi, nisugat gani ko sa akong pamilya kay mag kuyog mi sa New Year… nadakpan mao naman hinuon ni (This is very bad. I was supposed to fetch my family so I can spend New Year with them but I got arrested instead)," Torreliza said.
Torreliza was arrested by virtue of a warrant issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Marivic Dakay of Branch 52 in Talibon, Bohol for parricide.
No bail was recommended for his temporary liberty.
IDMB chief Aileen Recla said Torreliza was accused of killing his mother and chopping her body into pieces a year ago in Barangay Poblacion, Getafi, Bohol. He allegedly disposed of the body parts by putting them into a sack.
"Gitagod tagod og gisud daw sa sako (The body was chopped to pieces and placed inside a sack)," Recla told reporters.
She said her operatives kept a close watch on the suspect for two weeks after they received information that he is hiding at the vicinity of the Pasil Fish Market and is involved in the illegal drug trade.
Torreliza denied both accusations.
"Limpyo ang akong konsensya nga wa ko nagpatay sa akong mama (My conscience is clear. I did not kill my mother)," he told reporters.
He said he was surprised that he was tagged to the killing and, upon advise of his lawyer, fled Bohol after learning he was tagged to the killing.
"Gi-advisan man ko sa akong abogado nga palayason (My lawyer advised me to flee)," he said.
Torreliza said that from Bohol, he first went to Butuan in Mindanao before he came to Cebu and settled in Pasil.
Recla said they secured a copy of Torreliza's warrant of arrest online via the PNP's e-warrant program.
Torreliza will be transported to Bohol to face charges. — (FREEMAN)