By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

One of the two suspects involved in last month’s murder of a woman outside Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) headquarters has admitted to the crime. Police Station 8 commander, Police Major Charles Gever, said the suspect, identified as Tyron Barena, was arrested last month by members of Police Station 4 after he, along with an accomplice, attempted to flee from a police checkpoint in the city’s Barangay 20.
Gever said, days after his arrest, Barena made an extrajudicial confession, or an admission outside of court, claiming responsibility for the murder of Crystal Faith Hastiva. The suspect said he was forced to kill the victim as he reportedly owed money, amounting to P10,000, to Jayson Gumban, who served as the getaway driver following the murder.
Barena believes the reason why Gumban wanted to kill Hastiva was related to illegal drugs.
Gever also said, prior to the murder, the suspects scouted the area and familiarized themselves in order for them to make a quick getaway.
Following the confession, Gever said they will coordinate with Hastiva’s family in order to discuss pressing charges against Barena and Gumban./DGB, WDJ