Kin of slain online sellers in Pampanga laud cops for nabbing suspects

Family members of the slain couple Arvin and Lerma Lulu meet with Pampanga police director Colonel Jay Dimaandal to express their gratitude for the arrest of the seven suspects involved. | PHOTO COURTESY OF PAMPANGA POLICE

MABALACAT CITY— The families of Arvin and Lerma Lulu, online beauty product sellers brutally murdered in Mexico town on Oct. 4, have expressed their gratitude to the Pampanga police for the swift arrest of the gunman, the alleged mastermind, and other suspects involved in the crime.

In a statement, the Pampanga police confirmed that the relatives of the slain couple visited Colonel Jay Dimaandal at his office on Wednesday, Oct. 16, to thank the officers for their relentless efforts in solving the case.

“Through a series of coordinated and persistent operations, the Pampanga police successfully apprehended seven suspects on Oct. 15, including the alleged mastermind, who was reportedly known to the victims,” the statement read.

On the same day, Philippine National Police Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil commended the Central Luzon police for their swift actions, which led to the arrest of the suspects.

“The swift apprehension of these individuals highlights our unwavering commitment to justice,” Marbil said in a statement, praising the regional police for quickly resolving the case.

Arvin and Lerma Lulu were ambushed while driving their pickup truck in Santo Rosario village, Mexico town.

Two men on motorcycles opened fire on them with .45 caliber pistols, killing the couple.

Fortunately, their 6-year-old daughter and Lerma’s teenage cousin, who were seated in the back, were unharmed.

Arvin, who was driving, suffered six gunshot wounds, while Lerma, seated beside him, was shot three times.

The Pampanga police reported that the suspected gunman, Arnold Taylan, and his accomplice, Arnel Buan, were initially arrested in Nueva Ecija.

Their confessions led to the arrest of five more suspects: Robert Dimaliwat, Rolando Cruz, Jomie Anandiben, Sancho Nieto, and the alleged mastermind, Anthony Limon.

The arrests were made by a joint task force comprising the Pampanga Provincial Intelligence Unit, the San Fernando and Mexico police, the 301st Regional Mobile Force Battalion 3, and the 1st and 2nd Pampanga Provincial Mobile Force Companies.

Investigators revealed that Limon, also an online seller, owed the Lulus about P13 million, a possible motive for the crime. It was uncovered that Limon allegedly paid the group P1.5 million to carry out the murders. INQ