GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The primary suspect in the gruesome killing of a farm worker in Barangay Katangawan has been arrested following a hot pursuit operation, police confirmed.
Authorities identified the suspect as Darwin Dawang, also known as “Win-Win,” who was apprehended in the municipality of Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental after days of coordinated tracking by law enforcement units.
The arrest comes after an earlier public appeal by Police Station 8 (PS8) of the General Santos City Police Office, urging Dawang to surrender and face allegations in connection with the brutal death of Bilmar Marco Danieles Sr.
Police Major Robert Fores, station commander of PS8, had personally called on the suspect to cooperate and clear his name, while also appealing to the public for information on his whereabouts. Authorities assured that any tips would be treated with strict confidentiality to protect informants.
The victim, Danieles, a farm laborer, was found dead at around 5:00 a.m. on March 31 inside his makeshift home in Purok 5A, Barangay Katangawan. He was discovered lying in a pool of blood with a deep, fatal wound to the neck, indicating he had been attacked with a sharp object.
It was his son, Bilmar Danieles Jr., who first found the body and immediately sought help from neighbors and barangay officials, prompting a swift police response.
Initial investigation revealed that Danieles had been drinking with Dawang, a fellow farm worker, hours before the killing. Witnesses said the two were last seen together on the evening of March 30 and were even observed dancing at around 1:00 a.m., with no visible signs of conflict.
However, the situation turned deadly shortly after.
Dawang was tagged as the primary suspect after he allegedly fled the area following the incident, triggering a manhunt operation. His eventual arrest was carried out by intelligence personnel from PS8 in coordination with the Jose Abad Santos Municipal Police Station, following continuous monitoring and intelligence gathering.
Police said the successful operation underscores their commitment to swiftly bring perpetrators to justice.
“The arrest is part of our intensified efforts to ensure that those responsible for this heinous crime are held accountable,” authorities said.
Investigators have yet to establish the exact motive behind the killing, although they are exploring the possibility of a dispute that may have escalated during the drinking session.
The suspect is now under police custody and is expected to face appropriate criminal charges.
Meanwhile, authorities assured the family of the victim that justice is being pursued, as the violent incident has shaken the otherwise quiet farming community of Barangay Katangawan.