Suspect in killing of QC couple shot dead in police car

Carl Joseph Alarin Bañanola, the suspect in the killing of octogenarian couple in Quezon City, was arrested on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. (Photo by CONSUELO MARQUEZ / INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — The suspect in the killing of an octogenarian couple was shot dead as he allegedly fought back against police officers in a patrol car in Quezon City on Wednesday night.

In an initial report, Carl Joseph Alarin Bañanola, 37, had just finished undergoing his inquest and boarded the police car at around 6:40 p.m. on Kalayaan Avenue beside the Quezon City Hall.

He was being escorted by officers from the Novaliches Police Station. They were on their way to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) in Camp Karingal, headquarters of the Quezon City Police District.

Minutes later, he requested that his handcuffs be loosened. Staff Sgt. Alex Icban did so. But then the suspect grabbed his gun and tried to fire at the officers.

Lt. Col. Rossel Cejas, chief of the Novaliches Police Station, pulled out his own gun and shot Banañola.

The suspect was taken to the East Avenue Medical Center, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Bañanola was arrested on 4th Avenue in Caloocan City on Tuesday.

He was tagged in the killing of Nicolas Austria and his wife Leonora Austria, who were stabbed to death in their house in TS Cruz Subdivision, Barangay San Agustin, Novaliches on Sunday afternoon.

READ: Cops nab ex-delivery man tagged in octogenarian couple slay

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)