Three suspects in the killing of former Abuyog, Leyte Vice Mayor James Bohol and his son, Carlou James Bohol, surrendered Tuesday night in Pasay City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

“Just last night, we facilitated because they sent a feeler to surrender with the negotiation of their families. We successfully persuaded lahat ng involved dito to surrender just when it became viral na may nakitang cadaver, which is confirmed by the family of the victims — father nila at kapatid nila,” PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) Director Brig. Gen. Edwin Balles said during a press briefing at Camp Crame on Wednesday.

Balles said the suspects admitted their participation in the crime upon surrendering.

The bodies of the former vice mayor and his son were found in a ravine in Barangay Imelda, Silago, Southern Leyte on 30 June, several days after they were reported missing on 27 June.

According to Balles, debt appears to be the possible motive behind the killings. One of the suspects, identified only as “Daboy,” allegedly owed Bohol an unspecified amount of money.

“Sa pagkaka-kuwento niya, yung tseke na ibabayad niya amounting to P550,000. I am not certain sa totality ng utang niya pero initially may inu-offer siyang tseke,” Balles said.

Investigators said the suspects killed Bohol and his son by repeatedly striking them on the head with a dumbbell and stabbing them multiple times with a bladed weapon.

Balles said the suspects decided to surrender after reports emerged that authorities had located the victims’ bodies.

The three suspects were initially brought to the PNP Forensic Group for physical examination and are now under the custody of the AKG. They will later be turned over to the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas (PRO-8) for further investigation and legal proceedings.

Bohol previously served as municipal councilor and vice mayor of Abuyog. He served as vice mayor until 2025, when he lost his reelection bid. At the time of his death, he and his son were engaged in private business.

PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III commended the police personnel involved in the operation for their efforts in resolving the case.

“We in the PNP extend our deepest condolences to the family of the former vice mayor. Our personnel on the ground were with the family in hoping for a positive outcome during the conduct of operations to locate them,” Torre said.

“We assured the family of justice in this case, and today, we delivered by arresting three people tagged as responsible in this case. We are conducting an investigation to determine the motive and identify and arrest all those responsible,” he added.