THE ongbak (bao-bao) used in transporting architect Vlanche Marie Bragas to the place where she was raped and killed on May 16, 2023 was already found, while one of the suspects in her killing was also killed in a police operation.
According to the information provided by the Calinan Police Station, headed by its chief Police Major Ricky Obenza, the unit was found through the "Oplan Katok" conducted by the Davao City Police Office (DCPO).
The police investigated all existing ongbak owners and drivers through their operation plan and the ongbak used in the crime was seized on June 21 from where it was bought due to a huge unpaid amount from the buyer.
According to the report, an earring was found during the examination of the ongbak, which later on was proven to match the earring worn by the victim.
PMajor Obenza said that based on the report, the ongbak is owned by Joey Misa from Barangay Balengaeng, Tugbok District, Davao City. According to the same report, Misa did not know that the police were looking for his unit because it was ridden by Bragas.
“Walay labot ang tag-iya sa ongbak kay wala man siya kabalo, igo ra gi-arkilahan ang iyang ongbak. Wala gani siya kabalo nga ginapangita to sa pulis. Diha na nahibal-an nga naimbargo na iyang ongbak kay wala siya kabayad (The owner of the ongbak was not involved in the crime because he knew nothing about it. His unit was just rented out (by the suspect). He didn’t even know that his unit was being hunted down by the police. He just knew that his unit was being looked for by the police when it was already repossessed by the seller because of unpayment),” DCPO director Police Colonel Alberto Lupaz said in an exclusive interview with KAMM Media Network on Monday, July 17.
It was also revealed that his ongbak was leased to one Jimmy Bayantong Lobiano of Purok 11, Barangay Sirib, Calinan District. Lobiano was one of the suspects identified by the police as "John Doe."
Around 10:40 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, members of the Calinan Police Station went to Lobiano's residence to serve the arrest warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 11 for qualified rape.
Instead of going with the police, Lobiano reportedly resisted arrest and fired at them with a .38 caliber revolver.
Lobiano was rushed to the Isaac T. Robillo Memorial Hospital in Barangay Calinan but was declared dead upon arrival by the attending physician.
Three packages of suspected shabu were recovered from his possession.
The DCPO will provide more information regarding the development of the incident on Tuesday, July 18.
Bragas was killed in an open canal in Barangay Dacudao, Calinan.
Based on the results of the autopsy, the victim was positively raped and killed by strangulation. (JPC)