AUTHORITIES arrested in Bulacan the prime suspect in the killing of the son of a National Bureau of Investigation agent in Baguio City last year.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said John Michael Serrano Garcia is the main suspect in the killing of Luke Maraneg on November 24, 2024 in Barangay Ferdinand, Baguio City.
Santiago said the suspect was arrested last February 17 in Malolos City, Bulacan by agents of the NBI-Pampanga District Office in collaboration with its Technical Intelligence Division and its district offices in the Ilocos, Cordillera and Dagupan after a months-long manhunt operation.
NBI operatives tracked Garcia across multiple provinces, including Pangasinan and La Union, before pinpointing his location in Bulacan through technical and physical surveillance, the NBI chief added.
“Relentless efforts and intelligence gathering of the members of Task Force Garcia continuously tracked his location. However, Garcia has been mobile for months and has been moving to different places,” Santiago said.
The official said it was only last February 14 that they managed to finally track Garcia’s location in Barangay Mambog, Malolos City through “technical surveillance.”
“Physical surveillance conducted by our agents confirmed the subject’s exact location inside his auntie’s apartment at Purok Wakas, Barangay Mambog where he was eventually captured,” Santiago added.
An investigation of Maraneg’s killing showed he was not actually the target of Garcia. Witnesses, according to the NBI, said the latter was after another individual who had a previous relationship with the suspect’s girlfriend.
Garcia, from Barangay Green Valley in Baguio City, is also allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade in the city.
Garcia, who faces murder and attempted murder charges under a warrant issued by Branch 78 of the Baguio City Regional Trial Court Branch, is being held at the NBI while awaiting a court order.
