Suspect in killing of three in Taguig surrenders

MANILA, Philippines — A former Navy officer accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and two other people in Taguig City last month surrendered to Sen. Raffy Tulfo on Thursday.

Julian Paningbatan Jr. surrendered to Tulfo during the lawmaker’s program “Wanted sa Radyo” at the TV5 Media Center in Barangay Buayang Bato in Mandaluyong City at around 2 p.m., the Southern Police District said in a statement.

Paningbatan, 28, was tagged by the Taguig police as the suspect in the deaths of his ex-girlfriend Marie Angelica Belina, Mark Ian Desquitado and Tashane Joshua Branzuela.

The victims were shot to death at a transient house in Barangay Fort Bonifacio on Aug. 21.

Paningbatan admitted he killed the victims, triggered by past issues with Belina.

Lawmen led by Taguig police chief Col. Robert Baesa served four warrants of arrest against Paningbatan for separate cases of car theft and robbery with violence.

The suspect is detained at the Taguig custodial facility pending the issuance of a commitment order from the court.