Suspect in Quirino police officer’s killing arrested in Quezon

A 30-year-old man listed among the Philippine National Police’s most wanted persons was arrested in Mulanay, Quezon, in connection with the killing of a police officer in Cabarroguis, Quirino.

The suspect, identified only as alias Sandia, is a married laborer from Mulanay who was living in Cabarroguis. He was arrested at about 3 p.m. on 8 November, under a warrant for homicide.

The tracker team of the 1st Quirino Provincial Mobile Force Company led the operation, with support from other units of the Quirino Police Provincial Office and Police Regional Office CALABARZON.

The case stems from the stabbing of Police Senior Master Sergeant Zaldy Castillo Dela Peña, 42, who was assigned to the Quirino Police Provincial Office. The incident occurred at about 11 p.m. on 31 July at a sari-sari store in Barangay San Marcos, Cabarroguis.

Investigators said alias Sandia and another suspect, alias Marlon, arrived at the store to buy alcohol and continued drinking there. When the store owner asked them to lower their voices because it was late and past curfew, a disturbance reportedly broke out.

Dela Peña allegedly tried to calm the group. Sandia then reportedly drew a knife and stabbed the officer on the left side of his body, near the armpit.

Dela Peña was rushed to Quirino Provincial Medical Center, where he was declared dead on arrival. The report attributed his death to hypovolemic shock caused by severe blood loss from a deep wound.

The suspects reportedly fled on a motorcycle after the incident. Sandia is now in the custody of Cabarroguis Police Station for documentation.

PBGen Mariano C. Rodriguez praised the police and other PNP units for their efforts to bring the case to justice. “On behalf of our institution, we reaffirm our firm commitment that justice must neither be delayed nor set aside,” he said.