Suspect in Bragas rape-slay reportedly shot at arresting officers
THE FOURTH suspect in the Bragas rape-slay case was killed after he allegedly resisted arrest inside their house in Purok 11, Upper Sirib, Calinan District, around 10:40 p.m. on Saturday, July 15. Major Ricky Obenza, commander of Calinan Police Station, identified him as Jimmy Bayantong Lobiano, legal age and a resident of the area.
Obenza, in an interview on Monday, said they served the Warrant of Arrest on Lobiano for Qualified Rape under Art. 266-A(1)(A) in Rel. to Art. 266-B 6th para (10) of the Revised Penal Code with Criminal Case Nos. R-DVO-23-03257-CR issued by Dante Baguio, acting presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 11, on July 04, 2023, with no bail recommended.
Obenza said Lobiano drew his .38 caliber revolver and shot at the police officer. They returned fire and hit him twice in the chest. He was brought to General Robillo Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) team recovered three fired cartridge cases of .9mm and a .38 revolver, loaded with four pieces of ammo and one fired bullet inside the barrel. The body was brought to Angel Funeral Parlor for proper disposition.
Likewise, the Davao City Forensic Unit (DCFU) reportedly found three sachets of shabu from the left pocket, with an estimated weight of more or less 0.125 grams worth P20,000. In addition, Obenza said they established Lobiano’s connection to the murder and rape of Valance Marie Bragas Rape Case last May 16, 2023.
“After nakuha natin yung name, we conducted verification if my other criminal case po sya. Na confirm natin meron siyang standing warrant na rape case. Yung victim pamangkin nya (After we got the name, we conducted verification if [he} had other criminal cases. We have confirmed that he had a standing warrant for a rape case with his niece as the victim),” he added.
Thus, a supplemental affidavit of the witness was forwarded to the City Prosecutor Office XI, Hall of Justice, Ecoland, at around 9:30 a.m. on July 15, 2023, purposely to prosecute the suspect.
On June 5, 2023, a case for rape with homicide was already filed at the City Prosecutor Office XI, Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City last June 05, 2023, at around 4:30 p.m. against suspects Dennis Roy Pilapil Panzan, Kent Laurence Melegreto Espinosa, Renato Ali Bayansao and one John Doe with pre-evaluation number PE-XI-02-INV-23-F-0076 Investigation sheet Nr. XI-02-INV-23-F-4000 under Assistant City Prosecutor Rocarma S Nuesca.
He said a supplemental affidavit of witnesses was also forwarded to the City Prosecutor Office XI at around 9:30 a.m. of July 15, wherein John Doe was already identified as Jimmy Bayantong Lobiano, legal age and a resident of Purok 11, Upper Sirib, Calinan District.
Recovery of the Ombak
Obenza said the Calinan police conducted an inspection at EMCOR Calinan after receiving information about the tricycle used in abducting Bragas. They found the victim’s earring inside.
Accordingly, the tricycle was recovered last June 21 after failing to pay the monthly dues. The tricycle owner executed an affidavit that he leased it to Lobiano for P5,000.
A witness, alias Joan, recognized the ombak driver and two other suspects at 10:42 p.m. near a meat shop where the victim was attacked and shoved inside the vehicle.
Aside from Joan, another witness came forward, alias Michael, who helped the police develop a digital cartographic sketch that included a tribal tattoo on the right arm. It served as the mark that led to the identification of Espinosa, who is currently at large.
In another statement, Joan positively identified Pansan as the one who punched Bragas’ face on the way to a meat shop. Pansan went missing after the crime, only to surface at the Matina Pangi Barangay Hall with his hands tied and his face partly covered by packing tape. Not long after, he was declared dead at the Adventist Hospital on May 29, 2023.
