Talisay City murder: Bones, drugs, firearms found in suspect’s home

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Suspected human bone fragments, firearms and illegal drugs were recovered from the residence of a 47-year-old man identified by police as the primary suspect in the killing of a caregiver whose severed head was found in Talisay City, Cebu.

The items were recovered during the implementation of court-issued search warrants at the suspect’s residence in Barangay San Isidro on Saturday, August 8.

Talisay City Police Station chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Homobuno Sayon said the bone fragments recovered from the property would undergo forensic examination as investigators continue searching for the victim’s remains.

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The forensic examination is expected to help determine whether the recovered bones are part of the victim’s remains, the results of which can aid investigators in locating the rest of her body.

Suspect traced

The victim, a 48-year-old caregiver from Zamboanga City, had been reported missing on July 4. Her severed head was discovered in Barangay Cansojong on July 11.

Sayon said investigators traced the suspected disposal of the victim’s head through CCTV footage after conducting interviews and reviewing recordings around the area where it was found.

“Kadtong naghimo ta’g CCTV back tracking and forward tracking, didto nakita nato ang paglabay gyod mismo didto sa ulo,” Sayon said.

(When we made a CCTV back tracking and forward tracking, it is there that we saw the suspect throw the head.)

The recovered head was later subjected to DNA testing, with police confirming that its DNA profile matched that of the victim’s family.

Sayon said the DNA result was obtained less than two weeks before the latest police operation.

Police continue to search for the rest of the victim’s remains.

Search warrant leads to arrest

Sayon said investigators obtained search warrants covering the suspect’s residence, vehicle, motorcycle and computer-related data.

The warrants were not specifically issued for the murder case, but covered the suspect’s vehicle, motorcycle, katana and computer data, he said.

During the implementation of the warrants, police recovered firearms and illegal drugs in plain view, resulting in the suspect’s arrest.

A motorcycle allegedly used to dispose of the victim’s severed head was also recovered. Police linked the motorcycle to the disposal based on their CCTV review.

A katana-bolo, which investigators suspect may have been used in the killing, was also among the items recovered.

Police also seized three firearms and illegal drugs valued at around ₱34,000 from the suspect’s possession.

Sayon said the weapons and drug-related evidence would be handled separately from the murder investigation.

Wanted for murder in Zamboanga

After the arrest, a background check on the suspect also confirmed that he was the subject of a separate murder warrant issued in Zamboanga City.

Police said he was listed as a National Most Wanted Person for murder, with a ₱140,000 reward offered for his arrest under DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2021-120.

The warrant was issued by the Regional Trial Court, 9th Judicial Region, Branch 33 in Zamboanga City on December 4, 2018, for murder with no recommended bail.

Sayon earlier said Talisay police coordinated with authorities in Zamboanga City and learned that the suspect was facing another murder case there.

The separate Zamboanga case will be handled by the appropriate filing unit there, Sayon said.

Murder case to follow

Police said the firearms case would be filed first, while the murder complaint would follow after investigators complete their evaluation and documentation of the evidence.

“Karon, atong unahon pagpasaka og kaso katong sa armas, then to follow ang murder,” Sayon said.

(Now, we will first file a case regarding the firearm, then the murder case to follow.)

Sayon said the murder case would undergo regular filing.

Police have so far identified only one suspect in the killing, although Sayon said this could change depending on the results of the forensic examination of computer-related data recovered during the search.

Investigation continuing

As of Thursday, August 13, the suspect remains detained at Talisay City Police Station pending presentation before the Zamboanga court that issued the outstanding murder warrant.

Meanwhile, investigators continue processing the recovered bone fragments and other evidence while searching for the rest of the victim’s remains.

The recovered bone fragments will undergo forensic examination as authorities work to determine whether they belong to the victim and establish what happened to the remaining parts of her body.

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