Manhunt vs killer of Boracay resort owner ordered

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lomibao ordered a manhunt against the alleged killer of a resort owner in Boracay Island in Aklan last Tuesday.

Lomibao, who flew to Boracay over the weekend to personally assess the ongoing investigation, was informed that the killing of Aracelli Villanueva-Hug was triggered by a personal grudge from her cook identified as Jesus Palbaquer, whom she earlier fired.

"Swift police action will be immediately taken to solve the case and arrest the perpetrator," Lomibao assured the victim’s Swiss husband Paul and the couple’s two children.

Hug was found dead in her room at the Bamboo Resort in Boracay Island last June 20 with several knife wounds in the body.

The PNP chief ordered Central Visayas Police Regional Office (Region 6) director Chief Superintendent Doroteo Reyes II to field special tracker teams to arrest Palbaquer, 26, a native of Sagay, Negros Occidental.

In his report to Lomibao, Superintendent Jess Mendez, Chief of the Boracay Special Tourist Protection Office, said Palbaquer was seen in Boracay two days before the incident.

"The suspect rented a room and even borrowed money from some acquaintances in the island. Some witnesses also confirmed the suspect’s presence a day before the killing," said Mendez.

Mendez said the weapon was recovered at the scene and will be among the evidence to be presented when the case is filed before the Provincial Prosecutor on Tuesday. Some cash and other valuables are also reported missing from the room.