- Land conflict eyed as half-brother arrested in prosecutor’s slay
POLICE arrested the half-brother of Prosecutor Eleanor Polancos Dela Peña, 54, in connection to her murder in Chapter 8, Tienda Aplaya, Digos City, Davao del Sur, around 5 p.m. on June 10.
Suspect Arnel Galot Dela Peña, 56, was arrested around 9:40 p.m. on Monday along the National Highway in Talas, Sulop, Davao del Sur.
Lieutenant Colonel Florante Retes, chief of Digos City Police Station, said the victim was on her way home on board a white Ford Ranger Raptor when ambushed by an unidentified assailant on board a Honda Click motorcycle, and shot in the head.
The lawyer driving alone during the incident. Responding City Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Center (CDRRMC) personnel declared her dead at the scene.
Following witness statements, CCTV footage, and the statement of the victim’s son, Kenneth De Leon, authorities identified the suspect as the victim’s half-brother residing in Purok 3, Talas, Sulop.
A hot pursuit operation led to Dela Peña’s arrest. He was found wearing a black helmet with the letter “M,” a blue hooded jacket, blue jeans, and riding a red Honda Click motorcycle. Police confiscated ten 12-gauge shotgun shells, twenty-seven 5.56 MM live rounds, an M16 rifle magazine, and two phones.
Police eyed land dispute as the possible motive for the killing.
Major Catherine Dela Rey, the spokesperson of Police Regional Office (PRO) XI, said the murder case is set to be filed today (June 11) through inquest proceedings.
Lawyer groups condemn murder
Meanwhile, various lawyers’ groups released statements condemning the killing of Davao Occidental Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Eleanor Dela Peña.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines Davao chapter, the IBP-Eastern Mindanao, and the National Prosecution Service XI honored the slain prosecutor for her dedication to her duty and also how her passing would leave a void in the legal community.
