A driver wanted for the killing of a pregnant woman and her husband in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, last year was arrested by the Bacolod City Police Special Operations Group at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday night at Fiesta Homes Subdivision in Brgy. Sum-ag, Bacolod.

Arrested was Franklin Ibañez, 47, of Brgy. Tapi in Kabankalan City, Supt. Santiago Rapiz, SOG head, said.

Ibañez allegedly shot and killed Ritchel Juanona, 22, and her common-law husband Florentino Juanona, of Sitio Ibos in Brgy. Tapi on May 30 after they allegedly prevented him from entering the house of their boss Melchor Hedero to ask him to pay for his P9,000 debt, police records show.

Former Kabankalan City police chief, Supt. Antonieto Canieso, told the DAILY STAR before that Juanona, who was pregnant at the time of her death succumbed to a gunshot wound on the nape while her husband died from a gunshot wound on the head.

Canieso also said Ibañez fled right after the killing and brought with him the .38 caliber revolver he used in shooting the victims.

Ibañez, who was turned over to the Kabankalan City police yesterday, admitted that he killed the couple but claimed that he only did it to defend himself.

Ibañez said he was having an argument with Richel when her husband came and tried to shoot him with the .38 caliber revolver, which he was able to wrest from him.*APN

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