Dumaguete: An American national in his 70s and his Filipina wife were shot dead by at least three armed men who broke into their rented residence in Barangay Bajumpandan here early Wednesday. Capt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), said a special investigation task group composed of various law enforcement units was immediately formed to investigate the killings and identify the perpetrators.
According to Philippines News Agency, during an interview, Polinar stated, "We are doing everything we can to collect evidence and identify and locate the suspects in the shooting to death of the couple." Initial investigations and the account of the couple's helper revealed that the suspects barged into the maid's quarters shortly after midnight and, at gunpoint, demanded to know where the couple kept their money.
The helper informed police that the suspects bound her before proceeding to the adjacent portion of the house where the couple, identified as Mark and Elsie Duell, were sleeping. By around 6 a.m., the helper reportedly found the couple dead in the living room of the main house. She then contacted the wife's family, who sought immediate police assistance. The victims had sustained multiple gunshot wounds from an undetermined caliber of firearm.
Polinar mentioned that investigators have not yet determined how the helper managed to free herself after being hogtied. He refrained from disclosing further details as scene-of-crime operatives continued to process the crime scene, gathering evidence and establishing the sequence of events.
Lt. Col. Don Richmond Conag, chief of the Dumaguete City Police Station, stated that investigators have identified two persons of interest in the case. However, Conag did not elaborate, noting that the Special Investigation Task Group Duell would handle information releases to the media. The helper remains under police custody and is being treated as the lone witness to the incident. She also underwent a medico-legal examination to document her injuries and help corroborate her statement.
Both police officials stated that the motive for the killings remains undetermined. Investigators are also considering the possibility of robbery being involved. Meanwhile, Col. Jonathan Abella, the newly designated acting police director of Negros Oriental, condemned the killings and assured the public that the task group would pursue follow-up operations, gather evidence, and investigate all possible motives to identify and arrest those responsible.
"We assure the community that your safety remains our absolute priority, and we will not allow lawlessness to undermine the peace in our province," Abella declared. He appealed to anyone with information or video footage related to the incident to coordinate with the police.
