LIGAO CITY – Operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested in the city of Calabanga, Camarines Sur, the suspect in the murder of a teenager in a hit-and-run in Bulacan on Wednesday, June 28.
In a late report issued on Saturday, July 1, the CIDG captured 42-year-old Michael Torrazo at his residence in Barangay (village) San Lucas around 6:00 p.m. after he held his own family hostage for more than one hour.
Torrazo is the prime suspect in the murder of John Paul Benedicto in a road rage that occurred in the town of Norzagaray in Bulacan on November 7, 2022.
Police Lt. Col. Joseph Marribay, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Albay, told the Inquirer in an interview on Saturday that the suspect initially resisted arrest and engaged officers in a shootout using a “ sumpak” (improvised shotgun).
“He retaliated and fired at the officers but luckily the sumpak jammed, prompting the police to return fire, hitting the suspect’s right thigh,” Marribay said.
He said the suspect, who was also armed with a hand grenade, used his family as a shield and threatened to throw the explosive at them.
“The drama of the hostages and the negotiation lasted for over an hour until the suspect finally gave up. Maybe because he is already in pain from the gunshot wound,” Marribay said.
The agents recovered the shotgun, its bullets and the hand grenade.
The suspect was taken to a hospital in the city of Naga, where he remains confined for treatment until Saturday.
After his treatment, he will be detained at the CIDG detention facility in Ligao City, Albay. INQ —Michael Jaucian
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