The victims were identified as Tang Huan, president and general manager of IFA Marine Trading Corp. based in Taytay town; and speedboat operators Richard Bona, Arvie Acabuche and Rodel Orubia.
Police found their bodies floating off the coast of Barangay Pangulasian in El Nido town, some two kilometers from where they were killed.
Reports reaching the office of Senior Superintendent Alex Lapinid, police director of Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), said three of four suspects have been arrested.
Now detained at the provincial police headquarters in Puerto Princesa City are fishermen Elmer Bona, 22, his cousin Eddie Bona, and Dennis Alcovidas. A fourth suspect, Eddie’s brother Noel, remains at large.
Police have also recovered part of the stolen cash, amounting to P1,800,200, which was dug up in a sandy area along the coast of Puting Isla in El Nido town.
Investigation showed that the suspects signaled the victims to come to their rescue, claiming that the engine of their speedboat malfunctioned while adrift off the Taytay village of Luminangcong.
But when the suspects finally transferred to the victims’ speedboat, they shot dead Tang and his Filipino companions. They then threw their bodies in the water and fled with the P6-million cash.
Police found the victims’ speedboat on the shore of Sitio Mitacul, also in Luminangcong Thursday afternoon.