By KATE LOUISE B. JAVIER
A 29-year-old rookie police officer barged into his former girlfriend’s apartment, held her hostage for more than five hours before killing her with his service firearm Tuesday night in Caloocan City.
PO1 Danilo Roa, a beat patroller at Bagong Barrio precinct in Caloocan, then shot himself in the right temple.
The victim was identified as Lyka Jane Arciaga, a Grade 3 teacher at Kaunlaran Elementary School.
Arciaga sustained gunshot wounds in the cheek, chest, neck and arm, according to case investigator PO3 Michael Olpindo.
Recovered from the scene were a caliber 9mm firearm with ammunition, six empty shells and a jacket of fired bullet.
Members of the city police’s Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) found the bodies in the second floor of the apartment in Kaunlaran Village in Barangay 22.
The hostage-taking was reported by Luisito Ondonio, a 59-year-old neighbor, at 6 p.m., about five hours after Roa reportedly destroyed the front door to enter the apartment.
Ondonio said he heard Arciaga shouting for help before the successive gunshots.
Policemen from the Police Community Precinct 2 tried to negotiate with the suspect, but there was no response, according to deputy commander Sr. Inspector Rommel Ebarle.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Camilo Cascolan, who visited the crime scene, said they are now looking into “love angle” as possible motive behind the incident.
“Accordingly, they have been together for two years. Initial investigation states that they were arguing before the gunshots, as the man reportedly asking the woman for a second chance,” Cascolan said.
Milcon Joice Ruiz, the victim’s cousin, told police that before the shooting, Arciaga sent her a photo of Roa holding a gun while sleeping.
The photo was also sent to the victim’s suitor, police said.
It was not clear why the victim did not attempt to escape while the suspect was sleeping.
Ruiz said after the couple ended their two-year relationship last February, Roa has been allegedly harassing Arciaga who was forced to file a complaint with the barangay and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“They separated but it was a mutual decision. He wanted to be with her again but my cousin rejected him,” said Ruiz who claimed the suspect also threatened her with harm.
Cristy, the 27-year-old sister of the suspect, said his brother has moved on despite having a hard time at first.
“I thought my brother was going to her place just to talk to her about the complaints filed against him,” Cristy said.
Cristy said Arciaga broke up after her brother refused to marry her.
“They were already living together. He just wanted to prepare more. Maybe he’s not yet ready,” Cristy said.