By CESAR JOLITO III

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting of two siblings in Barangay Mandalagan last September 2025, nearly five months after the incident.

The BCPO confirmed that a warrant of arrest was served against the suspect, identified only as alias Ungi, a resident of Barangay Villamonte.

BCPO officer-in-charge, Police Colonel Eugene Rebadomia, said the arrest followed corroborating statements from the surviving victim and an eyewitness.

The incident occurred on September 29, 2025, when the siblings, Harold and Harley Espina, were ambushed by riding-in-tandem gunmen in Purok Active, Barangay Mandalagan.

Harold died from gunshot wounds to the back that penetrated his chest, while Harley survived and received treatment at a local hospital.

According to Rebadomia, Harley was able to identify alias Ungi because he was not wearing a face mask at the time of the attack.

A witness also reported seeing a motorcycle tail the Espina siblings before the suspects’ motorcycle approached and opened fire.

The police said the attack appears to be linked to illegal drugs, though investigation is ongoing.

Authorities are continuing to pursue the driver of the motorcycle used by alias Ungi during the shooting.

“The cooperation of the survivor and the witness was crucial in bringing this suspect to justice,” Rebadomia added./CJ, WDJ