TALAKAG, Bukidnon — Authorities scored a major breakthrough in the brutal killing of a 17-year-old mother in Talakag, Bukidnon after the primary suspect voluntarily surrendered to tribal leaders and was subsequently turned over to police, just days after an intensive manhunt was launched following the June 28 slaying.
The suspect, identified by police through the aliases “Roldan” and “Roy,” surrendered to the Tribal Chieftain of Barangay Sagaran, Talakag, before being formally turned over to the Talakag Municipal Police Station. He also executed an Affidavit of Voluntary Surrender in the presence of investigators.
The surrender came after days of sustained manhunt operations conducted by the Talakag Municipal Police Station, in coordination with other police units, local government officials, tribal leaders, and community members. Police said relentless search and tracking operations in remote and mountainous areas placed increasing pressure on the suspect, eventually prompting him to voluntarily surrender.
Authorities are now preparing the appropriate criminal charges against the suspect in connection with the killing of the 17-year-old victim, identified only by the alias “Dina,” a resident of Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City, who was hacked to death while washing clothes at a river in Sitio Nataring, Barangay Dagundalahon, Talakag, on June 28. Investigators are likewise awaiting the results of the victim’s autopsy to determine whether additional charges, including rape, may be filed should evidence confirm that she was sexually assaulted before she was killed.
Gruesome Attack
According to the initial investigation by the Talakag Municipal Police Station, the young mother had gone to the river with her live-in partner to wash clothes.
Police said her partner temporarily left the area to retrieve something from their nearby residence. Upon returning about 30 minutes later, he allegedly saw the suspect repairing a motorcycle near the spillway.
Moments later, he found the victim bloodied near the riverbank. Investigators earlier disclosed that the suspect was allegedly dragging her body toward the river, apparently attempting to dispose of it before fleeing after noticing the victim’s partner approaching.
The victim was immediately rushed to the Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Talakag but was declared dead on arrival after sustaining a fatal hack wound to the back of her head. Authorities believe a bolo or a similar bladed weapon was used in the attack.
Autopsy Results Awaited
The victim’s family continues to await the results of the autopsy, which they hope will establish whether the teenager was sexually assaulted before she was killed.
The Oliveros family said they remain determined to pursue criminal charges against the suspect and seek full justice for the victim should evidence support allegations that she was raped prior to the fatal attack.
Police Investigation
The Talakag Municipal Police Station assured the public that a thorough, impartial, and comprehensive investigation has been conducted and that the case will proceed through the proper legal process.
Police said the filing of the appropriate criminal charges is now being finalized to ensure the suspect is held accountable for the crime.
Authorities also reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace and order and urged the public to continue cooperating with law enforcement by reporting crimes and providing information that could assist in the administration of justice.
Possible Motive
Based on the initial police investigation, authorities found no previous grudge or known conflict between the suspect and the victim.
Background checks also showed that the suspect has no recorded criminal history and is not included in the barangay’s drug watchlist.
Investigators, however, said the initial information gathered points to the suspect’s alleged infatuation with the victim as a possible motive, although they emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and that the motive has yet to be conclusively established.
Community Awaits Justice
The brutal killing shocked residents of Talakag and neighboring communities, drawing widespread condemnation because of the victim’s young age and the violence of the attack.
Following the incident, Talakag Mayor Renz Sulatan Jr. visited the grieving family, extended financial assistance, and announced a cash reward for information that would lead to the suspect’s arrest.
With the suspect now in police custody, the victim’s family hopes the filing of criminal charges and the continuing investigation will finally pave the way for justice for the slain teenager, whose death has deeply saddened her family and the wider community.