Rob-slay suspect nabbed, mauled

The man accused of robbing and killing a 24-year-old woman was arrested four days after the crime in barangay Agsungot, Cebu City.

Arnel Padillo Taburnal admitted killing Maricris Villadolid, who worked as a therapist at a spa in barangay Banilad.

Robbery was the motive behind the crime.

“Kwarta ra akong tuyo ato kay mopauli ko sa Leyte (I needed money because I planned to go home to Leyte),” said Taburnal.

With bruises, cuts and a badly swollen lip, Taburnal was turned over to the police after he was arrested by residents in the area.

A charge of robbery with homicide will be filed against Taburnal, said SPO2 Jay Yballe of the Cebu City Police Office.

According to the investigation, Taburnal approached his cousin and the victim’s live-in partner Richard Taburnal last Sunday afternoon to borrow money for his fare going to Leyte.

Richard told Arnel that he didn’t have money and asked him to just wait for Villadolid to arrive from work.

Arnel told police he waited for Villadolid along a road.

Past 10 p.m., Arnel said he spotted Villadolid.

Arnel said he tackled the woman, took off her uniform and tied it around her neck before dragging her to a bamboo tree. The man then took P1,600 from the woman.

Arnel did not leave until the next morning.

Arnel said it was around 7 a.m. when he noticed that the woman was no longer breathing and decided to bury the body.

Richard, on the other hand, reported to the police the disappearance of his live-in partner.

He and some neighbors searched for his live-in partner. The woman’s remains were later found about one kilometer from the couple’s house.

Arnel said he was bothered by his conscience and decided to surrender last Wednesday afternoon.

Arnel was on his way to the house of Agsungot barangay captain Pastor Alcover when he was spotted by residents, who chased and mauled him before bringing him to the police. CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON