A SUSPECT in a double murder case surrendered to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Bacolod City on Monday afternoon, July 27.
Police identified the suspect as Thomas Lovino, of Barangay Taculing, Bacolod.
Police Captain Elmer Bonilla, chief of Police Station 6, said Tuesday, July 28, that Lovino voluntarily surrendered to CHR-Negros Occidental Romeo Baldevarona around 3 p.m. for his own safety.
Lovino was the suspect in the killing of Noel Canencia, 53, and Dean Mar Suspene, 20, of Purok BM, Barangay Taculing on Saturday.
Two persons were also injured. They were identified as Ronnie Cabatbat, 51, and Ranyel Canencia, 23, both residents of Barangay Taculing.
Investigation showed that Lovino was having a drinking session with Suspene's father, Patricio, around 6 p.m. when Noel saw Lovino in the area. He went home and took a bladed weapon, while Lovino also took his gun.
Bonilla said when Noel returned, he threatened Lovino using a bladed weapon but Lovino fought back and fired at him using unidentified firearm. Patricio and his son, Dean Mar, tried to pacify them, but Dean Mar was also hit by a bullet on his head and died on the spot.
Cabatbat and Canencia, who were in the area, were also hit by bullets. Both of them along with Noel were rushed to the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center, but Noel did not survive.
Lovino told the police that it was self-defense, but Bonilla said he can only prove that in the court.
He said they are still preparing the affidavit of the family of the victims to file the double murder case against the suspect.
He added they will file the case in regular filling and Lovino also decided to stay at police station for his safety.
Meanwhile, a double murder and illegal firearms charges were filed on Monday before the City Prosecutor's Office in Bacolod City against the mechanic who killed the two sisters in front of Tough Star Engineering Works, Gonzaga Extension, Barangay Taculing in the city Friday.
Police Captain Elmer Bonilla, chief of Police Station 6, said Tuesday, July 28, they filed double murder and violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms, Ammunition and Regulation Act, against Alvin Lanza, of Barangay Alangilan.
Lanza was the suspect in the killing of Innie Jane Mahilum and her sister Imee Mahilum, both residents of Barangay Mansilingan.
Investigation showed the two sisters were inside the Toyota-Revo vehicle when Lanza fired at them using a .45 caliber revolver at about 5:45 p.m. Friday.
The victims died on the spot while Lanza was injured after he stabbed himself in the chest and was brought to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital.
Bonilla said Lanza is now in stable condition and is detained at the station's custodial facility.