Man nabbed for killing teacher, wounding 2 kids
A MAN accused of killing a 38-year-old public school teacher in Surigao City late afternoon Thursday was captured by local policemen in a massive manhunt operation, Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 director, Brigadier General Kirby John B. Kraft said yesterday.
Suspect Joseph Guimare, 27, a resident of Barangay Consolacion in Dapa municipality, is now facing non-bailable charges for robbery with homicide and two counts of frustrated murder, the Caraga police director said.
According to the official, members of the Surigao City Police Station and Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office launched a massive operation to arrest the suspect, after he was identified as the man behind the killing of Clarence May Sulima inside her residence.
An investigation showed that Sulima allowed the suspect to temporarily stay in her residence in Bgy. Washington in Surigao City.
However, at around 6:34 a.m. Thursday, neighbors of the victim were alarmed by frantic calls for help from her two wounded sons. It turned out that the victim’s kids, one 9 years old and the other only 5 years old ran outside their house after being attacked by the suspect.
Neighbors who rushed to the victims’ aid found the teacher’s body with deep slash wounds on her neck.
Investigators from the Surigao City Police Station who reviewed all available CCTV recordings in the area eventually discovered that the suspect and his son left the victim’s residence before her body was discovered.
The hot pursuit operation prompted the accused to surrender to the chairman of Bgy. Consolacion in Dapa.
Recovered from his possession were the victim’s shoulder bag containing her identification cards, a wristwatch, passbooks and red wallet with her ATM cards and other documents.
“Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and colleagues mourning the loss of an educator who played a vital role in shaping young minds,” said Kraft.
The PRO13 director said his investigators have found necessary pieces of evidence and witnesses against the suspect leading to the filing of criminal charges against him.
The suspect is now under the custody of the Surigao City police. The motive behind the attack is still being investigated as of press time.
