Suspects Allegedly Responsible in the Killing of Mr Roland Buhler Are Now in Custody

Extract from Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on August 10, 2010

THREE of the six suspects identified in the killing of a German national surrendered at the Talakag Municipal Police Office following the arrest of their mastermind.

Noel Balighot, special investigator III of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Northern Mindanao, identified the suspects as Dennis Tuto, a resident of San Antonio in Talakag, Bukidnon; Ronnie Fabre, a resident of Barangay Carmen, this city, and a minor who is also a resident of San Antonio.

Balighot, who handled the case, said the three surrendered last Friday after several operations conducted by NBI and Talakag Police Station.

"The mastermind, identified as Glen Tuto, was arrested in Libona, Bukidnon in connection with a standing warrant of arrest issued against him for illegal possession of firearms in Cebu," Balighot said.

Glen and Dennis are cousins and both were native of Talakag, Bukidnon.

The four suspects were allegedly responsible in the killing of Roland Richard B. Buhler, a German national who married a Filipina. He was killed on May 24, 2010 inside his house in Barangay 3, Poblacion, Talakag Bukidnon.

The NBI said the alleged suspects carted away at least P3,000 from the victim. Balighot said Buhler's wife, Venus, was in Cagayan de Oro purchasing various stocks for their hardware and mini grocery store when the incident happened.

"The victim died of strangulation because the suspects tied his neck. They also beat him," Balighot added.

Fabre and Tuto are now detained at the Talakag Police Station while the minor suspect is placed under the custody of his grandmother with the supervision and agreement of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Northern Mindanao.

Glen Tuto is detained at Libona Police Station. (ALR)