CEBU, Philippines - The 22-year-old high school student who reportedly shot his high school teacher in Tabuelan town last Thursday was arrested by the police on the same day in a hot pursuit operation.
Elmer Arcillas was apprehended by the police at the house of his uncle in Sitio Kabalawan, Barangay Bongon, Tabuelan.
Arcillas allegedly shot Geronimo Flores, a fourth year high school adviser of Juan Pamplona National High School, and hit him in the thigh. The suspect immediately fled from the municipal playground where the incident took place. Flores, who was brought to the Tuburan District Hospital, is now in safe condition.
Police investigation showed that Arcillas was mad at Flores since the latter kept on calling the attention of his guardians because of his poor performance in school.
Police Officer 2 Jerome Millor, desk officer of Tabuelan Police Station, said that to locate Arcillas, they traced the places where his mother and relatives live.
Arcillas’ mother told the police that she saw her son passed by their house in Sitio Kambayog and was headed to Sitio Kabalawan where his uncle lives. Police officers proceeded to the area and found the suspect.
Millor said Arcillas did not resist arrest.
Arcillas reportedly confessed to the police that he threw away the revolver he used to shoot Flores. He was subjected to a paraffin test.
The suspect is now detained and will face charges for frustrated murder. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/NSA (FREEMAN)