By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The primary suspect in the murder of a taxi driver last week in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental was recently caught by police.

Himamaylan City police chief, Police Chief Inspector Antonio Benitez, Jr., said they arrested 24-year-old John Robert Lauriano, a resident of Barangay Bagroy, Binalbagan.

In a radio interview yesterday afternoon, Benitez said they were only able to gather circumstantial evidence while processing the case, noting, it was a difficult task.

Benitez said, during the investigation, they discovered the suspect may have been wounded as it appeared the taxi driver he was victimizing, Junie Celis, fought back.

During an autopsy on Celis’ remains, based on a wound found on the victim’s finger, police believe he took defensive action.

After the findings, they immediately advised all hospitals, clinics, and health centers in Himamaylan City and nearby localities to inform law enforcement if any individual comes to dress the wounds.

A few days later, a Binalbagan health center at Crossing Bagroy contacted them, resulting in the suspect’s arrest.

Following an interrogation, Lauriano claimed he boarded Celis’ taxi at the Bacolod South Terminal and requested a ride to Himamaylan City.

Lauriano’s claim was corroborated when cops retrieved closed-circuit television footage showing Celis’ taxi passing Barangay Payao an hour before the discovery of his remains.

Benitez said Lauriano admitted to killing Celis over a disagreement on the fare, which the suspect claimed was supposed to be P250. However, Celis reportedly asked for P750.

The suspect was previously arrested in Bacolod City in connection to a theft case, which he served his prison sentence accordingly and was eventually granted probation.

Lauriano is now detained at the Himamaylan City Police Station and could face murder charges./DGB, WDJ