Four men apprehended by the Virac police over the May 2023 slaying of a Pajo San Isidro resident will have to stay behind bars during the trial of their case at the Regional Trial Court.
Eight months after the incident, personnel of the Virac police station led by PEMS Joselito Tubo, together with elements of CIDG Catanduanes provincial field unit, arrested vendor Reydel Mallorca Miranda, 54, of Pajo San Isidro, laborer Joel Ngoho Tatualla, 24, of Pajo San Isidro, Carrie’s Restaurant disc jockey Jepril Borseque Tablizo, 32, of Palnab del Sur, and laborer Aljon Vallejo, 24, of San Isidro Village, for the non-bailable crime of murder.
Their arrest was pursuant to the warrant issued by RTC Branch 43 Acting Presiding Judge Ritche R. Regaka in connection with Criminal Case No. 11051.
It may be recalled that on May 15, 2023, the Virac police responded to a report from a resident that a man had been stabbed during a confrontation at 10:30 PM that evening.
During the initial investigation, the police identified the suspects only as Tony, Jep, Ray, Jon and Jo.
Armed with a knife and a piece of wood, the group allegedly went to the house of Vicente Benavidez, who together with his cousin Jericho Benavidez, confronted the suspects.
Suddenly, one Antonio Tatualla stabbed Jericho while the other suspects attacked Vicente, who was able to escape.
Residents brought the victim to the Eastern Bicol Medical Center where he was declared dead on arrival.
Responding police personnel mounted a hot pursuit operation and apprehended the suspects on the basis of a witness’ testimony.