CANLAON CITY -- Another suspect linked to the brutal death of an architect and an engineer in Brgy. Bata, Bacolod City Monday last week voluntarily surrendered to the Canlaon City PNP in Negros Oriental at about 8:26 a.m. yesterday.

Reynaldo Lobaton Vergara, 19, of Purok Marapara, Brgy. Bata, Bacolod City, who fled to Brgy. Bocalan, Canlaon City days after the death of Farmelo Arevalo and Gliserio Yude in Brgy. Bata surrendered to the Canla-on police saying he was bothered by his conscience.

Arevalo, an engineer and Yude, an architect, were shot dead in Purok Medayna, Brgy. Bata, in the city a day after New Year's Day.

Canla-on PNP officer-in-charge Insp. Bernardo Mangubat yesterday endorsed Vergara to Chief Insp. Jimmy Fortaleza, Police Precinct 3 commander, in the presence of local media.

Mangubat said a barangay tanod of Brgy. Bocalan, Canla-on City brought Vergara to the police station, four days after the incident.

Fortaleza said Vergara was the fourth suspect arrested by the police for alleged involvement in the death of Arevalo and Yude.

Other suspects were two 15-year-old boys, whose names were withheld by the DAILY STAR, and Isagani Guinson, 22, of Purok Marapara 1, Brgy. Bata, who are now under their custody, he said.

Vergara denied shooting Arevalo and Yude, but admitted hitting one of the victims with a stone after he saw Guinson, who was his companion, being mobbed by the victims.

Vergara said he could not identify who among his companions had a firearm at the time because of the commotion. Vergara said he had overheard Guinson threaten the victims and their companions while they were in Purok Medyana.

When he looked back, Vergara said he was surprised to see Guinson with a bladed weapon grappling with the victims, and this prompted him to help his friend.

He also admitted he and his companions mauled trisikad driver Hendrito Chavez, 41, of Purok Katilingban, Brgy. Bata to take revenge on the latter who, he said, mauled him days before the incident.

Vergara denied that he and his companions were under the influence of intoxicating liquor or had sniffed rugby or used shabu at the time of the incident.

After realizing the outcome of their deed, Vergara emotionally asked forgiveness from the family of Arevalo and Yude and promised to accept whatever charges may be filed against him.

Vergara, who was also jailed for sniffing rugby two years ago, also asked for forgiveness from his parents for causing them problems and embarrassment. He also thanked them for supporting and loving him though.

Meanwhile, Fortaleza said they are still conducting a manhunt operation to arrest other members of Guinson's group.*DMG

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