BY LIEZLE BASA INIGO
PANGASINAN – A former barangay councilor was arrested three days after killing a businesswoman inside a motel in Barangay Cabilocaan, Calasiao, police reported Thursday.
Lt. Col. Ferdinand de Asis, Calasiao chief of police, identified the suspect as Renato G. Abalos, 49, a tricycle driver and former barangay kagawad of Barangay Darawery Bayambang, Pangasinan.
Abalos was accused of killing Brenda Bruno whose body was found at 168 Inn in Barangay Cabating Malasiqui, Pangasinan last Sunday, Oct. 4.
Police said suspect admitted killing the victim by strangling her with his bare hands.
Base on the CCTV footage of the establishment, the suspect and victim arrived at the motel aboard a tricycle driven by Abalos at about 9:31 a.m. on Oct. 3, and they checked in together.
The suspect was later seen leaving the place alone.
The next day, the woman was discovered by a room boy already dead on the floor.
Police probers were able to find witnesses and evidence that led to the arrest of the suspect.
During interrogation, the suspect told police that he killed the victim after they engaged in a heated argument.
But investigators are also looking into robbery as the motive behind the killing as the victim’s money amounting to P200,000 was missing.
Police said a case of murder will be filed at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against the suspect. (Liezle Basa Inigo)
