Two of the three suspects who allegedly started a fire at the Java Pension House along Bacolod City’s Gonzaga Street last Tuesday have been arrested in joint follow-up operations by the city’s Police Station 1 (PS1) and Murcia Municipal Police Station.

Police identified the suspects as Rodolfo “Onyok” Inson Jr., a resident of the city; and Venancio “Noy Lumot” Valeriano of Murcia’s Barangay Amayco.

A third suspect, meanwhile, has yet to be identified by police, although a follow-up operation has already been initiated by police as of press time.

PS1 commander, Police Major Jovil Sedel said they managed to identify the suspects after interviewing several witnesses, who then positively pinpointed Valeriano via the station’s rogues galleries.

Valeriano was eventually arrested yesterday, alongside Inson who was nabbed in Bacolod City.

Sedel said according to the suspects’ testimonies, they claimed that they were trying to steal the helmet attached to the motorcycle by burning its strap using a lighter. The suspects then brought the helmet to the Burgos Public Market area where they sold it for P150.

Sedel said they will file the criminal charge of Arson with multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries against the suspects today./DGB, WDJ