THE suspect in the rape and murder of a saleslady in Valencia City, Bukidnon was killed by police operatives in a shootout at a diversion road in Barangay Poblacion, Tuesday, August 6.

Killed was Julieto Inocensio, a drug-listed personality in the city, while his companion escaped.

Members of the Valencia City police responded a report about two suspicious armed men which resulted in a shootout.

Police said the slain suspect was also involved in numerous criminal activities including akyat-bahay (burglary), carnapping, gun-for-hire, and robbery hold-up in the city.

The suspect was brought to the hospital after the exchange of fire but was declared dead on arrival.

Authorities recovered a caliber 38 revolver, fired cartridge cases, 14 suspected “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and the suspect’s motorcycle.

Valencia City police chief Lieutenant Colonel Surki Serenas said Inocensio was among the suspects in the rape and murder of a 26-year-old saleslady inside her boarding house along Pepito Street, Poblacion, on August 2, based on the video footage of the security camera and an eyewitness’s account.

Serenas said Inocensio was not the person of interest (POI) who was earlier invited for questioning.

The POI who happens to be the suitor of the victim was invited to the police station for questioning twice after the victim’s phone was traced and found in his house.

But, investigators released the POI due to insufficient evidence.