1 of 6 suspects in killing of female driver in Laguna jailed — police

MANILA, Philippines — One of the suspects allegedly behind the killing of female driver Jang Lucero has landed in jail, Calabarzon police said on Tuesday.

Police identified the suspect as Ann Sheila Montes Belarmino who was arrested last Friday, July 3 at 1:30 a.m. by members of Calamba police station but was publicly announced this Tuesday.

Police said one of the witnesses positively identified Belarmino based on the closed-circuit television footage they showed.

Lucero was found dead with 52 stab wounds inside her vehicle which was parked along Bucal Bypass Road in Calamba City, Laguna on June 28.

Capt. Mary Ann Torres, Calabarzon public information office chief, said Belarmino is being tagged by the witnesses as the “mastermind” in the murder of Lucero.

“Siya ay naging suspect based dun sa mga CCTV footage, ganun din sa statement ng witnesses. Siya rin ang tinutukoy na mastermind sa case. In-e-establish pa rin yung motive,” she told dzBB in an interview.

(She is a suspect based on the CCTV footage and statement from the witnesses. She is also being tagged as the mastermind of the case. The motive is still being established.)

A murder complaint was also filed against the Belarmino last Monday at the Calamba prosecutor’s office.

Calamba police will conduct follow-up operations to arrest the remaining five suspects, police noted.

Calabarzon chief Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao vowed justice for Lucero’s death.

“We will make sure that the other suspects in the killing of Jang Lucero will fall into the hands of the authorities. We will maximize our efforts so that the remaining suspects will be put behind bars and that justice will be served,” Danao said in a statement.

JE