Police in Cebu City arrested three suspects, including an 18-year-old and two minors, in a hot pursuit operation on Friday morning, May 22, 2026, in Barangay Sambag 2. The suspects are linked to the murder of a woman in Barangay Calamba.
Arrest Within 24 Hours
Within just 24 hours, personnel of the Sawang Calero Police Station 6 captured the three suspects in the killing of an unidentified woman in Sityo Miñulida, Barangay Calamba, Cebu City. The crime occurred on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at around 5:40 p.m.
Through a hot pursuit operation with the Tactical Motorcycle Riding Unit (TMRU), the suspects were apprehended in Sityo Kawayan, Barangay Sambag 2, at approximately 8:50 a.m. on Friday, May 22.
Suspects Identified
One of the arrested individuals was identified as the lookout, alias Tinoy, 18 years old. The other two accomplices, including the gunman, are both minors aged 16. Recovered from them were a caliber .45 pistol with two bullets and the victim's cellphone.
Police Colonel George Ylanan, chief of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), revealed that the crime is believed to be drug-related. He stated that the victim was suspected to be a drug personality who was rushed to Cebu City Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival.
"That is one of the motives we are looking into: that it is drug-related. Second, in the previous days, we have intensified our anti-illegal drug operations. This is what we have experienced when our anti-drug operations are aggressive: someone dies," Ylanan added.
CCTV Evidence
CCTV footage captured the actions of the 16-year-old gunman. After the victim fell, he approached her to finish her off, but the gun failed to fire. He then struck her forehead with the pistol grip.
"This gunman is an alumnus of Operation Second Chance twice and already has a case," Ylanan said.
Investigation Details
During the investigation led by Police Captain Noah Labra Añana, chief of Sawang Calero Police Station, and his deputy Police Lieutenant Fredilson Codilla, alias Tinoy confessed that they were ordered by an alias Manoy to liquidate the victim due to a debt of 100 grams of shabu worth PHP 680,000.
Tinoy claimed they were promised PHP 5,000 cash and three kilos of shabu upon completion of the mission. Alias Manoy himself called Tinoy to inform him that the victim was already on the stairs.
Ylanan said the CCPO already knows the identity of alias Manoy and will subject him to a deeper investigation due to his extensive drug connections.
The recovered firearm will undergo ballistic examination, while the victim's cellphone will be examined by the PNP Forensic Unit to identify her contacts. The suspects allegedly took the phone to destroy evidence and prevent the mastermind from being traced.
Police are now preparing murder charges against the suspects, and they have coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) due to the involvement of the two minors.
