A police staff sergeant has surrendered while his alleged cohort has been arrested in connection with the killing of a police corporal assigned to the 2nd Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company, the Philippine National Police said.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the breakthrough came through intensified investigative and operational efforts following the July 1, 2026 incident in Purok Lapu-Lapu, Barangay Tikwas, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur.
According to the PNP, joint police intelligence, investigative, and operating units immediately conducted CCTV backtracking, intelligence gathering, forensic processing, witness interviews, and focused hot pursuit operations after the killing.
The investigation produced circumstantial and corroborative evidence pointing to the possible involvement of a police staff sergeant assigned to the Margosatubig Municipal Police Station.
Faced with the evidence gathered by investigators, the suspect voluntarily surrendered before the Margosatubig Municipal Police Station on July 2, 2026.
In his statement, the police staff sergeant admitted participating in the incident as the driver of the motorcycle allegedly used in the crime. He also identified his alleged cohort as the person who allegedly shot the victim using the victim’s issued PNP service firearm.
The surrendering suspect also turned over his issued service firearm and the motorcycle allegedly used in the commission of the crime. Both were placed under police custody for forensic examination and evidentiary processing.
Acting on the information he provided, joint operating units launched a focused hot pursuit operation that led to the arrest of the alleged gunman at his residence in Barangay Poblacion, Margosatubig, Zamboanga del Sur, on the same day.
Authorities also recovered the victim’s PNP-issued CANIK 9mm service pistol from the possession of the arrested suspect.
The two suspects, along with the recovered firearm and other pieces of evidence, were turned over to the Dumalinao Municipal Police Station for proper disposition and the filing of appropriate criminal charges.
“This case reflects the determination of our investigators and operating units to pursue every lead until those responsible are brought before the justice system. No individual is beyond the reach of the law when evidence clearly establishes accountability,” said PGEN Nartatez.
“Hindi kami titigil hangga’t hindi napapanagot ang mga sangkot sa krimen. Ang batas ay ipatutupad nang patas at walang kinikilingan, anuman ang katungkulan ng isang tao,” PGEN Nartatez said.