A TEENAGER who was arrested in a buy-bust operation admitted to killing a drug personality in Barangay Hipodromo, Cebu City.
Eighteen-year-old suspect Jaymil Obeña Sarimugan was captured in Sitio BSJCO, Barangay T. Padilla, Cebu City at 10:10 p.m. Monday, November 21, a day after he killed Argie Jervacio Isidto, 32.
Sarimugan allegedly fled toward Parian where he hid after committing the crime, but he continued his illegal drug activity there.
Confiscated from him during the buy-bust were 16 packs of substance believed to be shabu weighing 20 grams and worth P136,000, as well as a .38 revolver.
Sarimugan, who was still high on drugs during police interrogation, said he killed Isidto for allegedly failing to pay his debt in a transaction involving illegal drugs.
Isidto was standing in an alley in Hipodromo when he was shot in the neck, according to a witness who refused to be identified.
“Base sa atong investigation mostly ang mahitabo inig singil tagaan kag tagal kung dili ka kabayad tirahon ka kini siya ang tig-tira gyud,” said Mabolo Police chief Major Eraño Regidor.
(Based on our investigation, mostly you will be given a deadline but if you do not pay on the said date, you will be liquidated and he (Sarimugan) is the hitman.)
Parian Police Station 1 chief Major Efren Diaz said they have long been looking for Sarimugan due to his alleged involvement in a series of robbery incidents in their area of jurisdiction but the suspect was very elusive.
The police stations in Barangays Mabolo and Abellana in Cebu City and in Mandaue City had also been on the lookouts for Sarimugan due to his involvement in criminal activities.
A video that circulated on social media shows Sarimugan grabbing the cellular phone of a jeepney passenger then fled.
“We’re just lucky na gabii ba ang among informant gi-transact nila si Melmel, mao to nag-conduct mi’g buy-bust operation together with station 4,” Diaz said.
(We’re just lucky that last night, our informant was able to transact with Melmel, and we immediately conducted the buy-bust operation together with station 4.)
Sarimugan was believed responsible in five shooting incidents in Barangay Mabolo wherein four of the fire victims died.
“Naa mi nakuha nga cases niya way back 2020 sa station 4 sa robbery and theft nya, siya sad ang primary suspect sa lima ka shooting incidents didto sa station 4,” said Diaz.
(We retrieved his cases way back 2020 from station 4 for his robbery and theft. He is also the primary suspect in five shooting incidents in station 4.)
Diaz described the suspect as a drug user who sells drugs and steals if he does not have money to finance his vice. (AYB, TPT)