Suspects in murder of couple, granddaughter nabbed

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Police authorities have arrested three suspects in the brutal killing of an old couple and their granddaughter in Basilan province during a series of pursuit operations in this city and in Basilan, according to security officials.

Another suspect, whose name was withheld pending the operation, remains at large, the police said.

Police forces initially arrested late Tuesday Rigoberto Erasga (not Roberto as earlier reported), 28, at Barangay Cawit, a west coast village in this city after they were alerted by the Lantawan Police Station in Basilan that the suspect fled toward this city.

The two other suspects were identified as Alty Falcasantos, 19, and Ricky Toledo, 21, both residents of Barangay Switch Yakal, Lanatawan.

Erasga, who was turned over to the police in Basilan Wednesday, allegedly confessed to the brutal killing of Pablo Guerrero, his wife Teresita, and granddaughter five-year old Trixie Monday noon at sitio Pilar, Barangay Switch Yakal.

Falcasantos and Toledo were arrested Wednesday afternoon in Barangay Switch Yakal, Lantawan after Erasga reportedly identified them as accomplices of the killing, reports citing Lantawan police commander Chief Inspector Basirin Hassan said.

The victims, who were residents of this city, were just visiting their farmhouse in Basilan when they were clubbed to death by the suspects.

Pursuing police recovered the iron pipes, bar and piece of wood used by the suspects in beating the victims.

The police also recovered a sack of rice.