Police arrested two security guards who were implicated in the January 6 killing of a subdivision homeowner in barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City.
Elmer Ramon Villarba, 46, and Rodrigo Cabalida Jr.,22, allegedly connived with suspected gunman Randy Emborong, who remains at large.
Emborong allegedly shot Maria Rosanna Lapas Mack, who argued with him and the security guards after she was not allowed to enter Grand Pacific Villa Subdivision because her car didn’t have a homeowner’s sticker. A shotgun was used in the shooting.
The victim suffered a gunshot wound in the chest. She was declared dead at the Mactan Doctors’ Hospital.
British national Steve Mack, the victim’s wife, said they are offering P100,000 cash reward for Emborong’s arrest.
Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG-7) arrested Villarba and Cabalida based on the warrant issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Toribio Quiwag in Lapulapu City.
Villarba was arrested in barangay Basak last Wednesday afternoon. He then cooperated with CIDG-7 members in arresting Cabalida.
Villarba contacted Cabalida and arranged a meeting in a mall at the North Reclamation Area.
Police arrested Cabalida when he showed up at SM City-Cebu to meet Villarba.
The two men denied involvement in the killing. They said they were willing to cooperate in the investigation to help arrest Emborong, a staff collector of the subdivision.
Cabalida said that during the argument, Emborong grabbed his shotgun and shot the woman.
He said the charges against them have been dismissed and they were surprised that an arrest warrant was issued against them./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON