Cops kill suspect in couple’s murder

MANILA, Philippines — The man accused of killing an elderly couple in Quezon City over the weekend was shot dead during an alleged scuffle with a policeman last night, hours after he was presented to the public.

Carl Joseph Bananola, 37, was being transported back to Camp Karingal after he underwent inquest proceedings on charges of robbery with homicide and frustrated murder at the Quezon City prosecutor’s office when he reportedly grabbed the service firearm of one of his escorts, National Capital Region Police Office director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar told The STAR in a text message.

“The suspect requested to have his handcuffs (loosened) from behind,” he said.

After the police officer identified as Staff Sgt. Alex Icban obliged, Bananola reportedly grabbed his firearm and a struggle ensued.

During the commotion, the firearm went off, with a bullet hitting the suspect in the chest, Eleazar said.

Eleazar said the incident happened inside a police vehicle traveling along Kalayaan Avenue at around 6:40 p.m.

Another report, however, stated that Lt. Col Rossel Cejas, who was in the front passenger seat, shot Bananola during the struggle.

The suspect was pronounced dead on arrival at the East Avenue Medical Center.

The incident happened just seven hours after Bananola was presented to journalists in a news briefing.

Bananola was arrested at the corner of 24th Avenue and Doña Rita street in Caloocan at around 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Eleazarsaid Bananola “admitted to the crime” of killing Nicolas Austria, 86, and his wife Leonora, 87.

The Austrias were found dead with stab wounds at their house in Barangay San Agustin on Sunday.

Probers said the victims knew Bananola because the suspect delivered eggs at their house on several occasions.

Bananola was identified by the couple’s housemaid, 63-year-old Editha Fernandez, as the one who attacked them.

Bananola was incoherent when interviewed by reporters. The suspect tested positive for drugs, police said.

Closed-circuit television footage showed the suspect apparently surveying the couple’s home hours before they were found dead.

Police said they recovered from the suspect P16,100 in cash that was missing from the couple’s house.