Merely fifteen (15) days after the killing of a Cebu-based lawyer, Atty. Joey Luis B. Wee, in downtown Cebu City, joint operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested the principal suspect in the killing of Atty. Wee while hiding in his rented apartment in Cabuyao, Province of Laguna.
NBI Officer-in-Charge (OIC)-Director Eric B. Distor identified the murder suspect as FAUSTO EDGAR BENIGNO PERALTA, who was positively identified by the victim’s wife, Atty. Marilevi Lim Wee, in a police line-up right after his arrest. OIC-Distor added the NBI is now pursuing the other suspects in the killing.
The Cebu-based practicing lawyer, Atty. Jose Luis B. Wee, was killed in broad daylight by an assailant on November 23, 2020 while walking on the way to his office in Kasambangan, Cebu City. After he was shot, Atty. Wee was rushed to the hospital by his wife and his law firm associates but succumbed to death due to the two (2) gunshot wounds.
OIC- Director Distor immediately ordered Atty. Rennan Augustus T. Oliva, Regional Director (RD) of Central Visayas Regional Office (CEVRO), to investigate the killing, provide assistance and conduct hot pursuit operation against the assailants. RD Oliva then directed a region-wide investigation and hot pursuit against the perpetrators of the crime.
Based on the CCTV footages gathered by the NBI and upon proper coordination with the surviving spouse, and testimonies of witnesses at the crime scene, the NBI operatives were able to immediately identify the physical appearance of the perpetrators of the crime including all the vehicles that were used in casing and eventual the killing of Atty. Wee.
Distor emphasized that after a very tiring fifteen (15) days of continuing hot pursuit, the NBI Team consisting of NBI CEVRO, NBI-Laguna District Office (LAGDO), NBI-Death Investigation Division (DID) and NBI Counter Terrorism Division (CTD), eventually located and arrested FAUSTO EDGAR BENIGNO PERALTA on December 8, 2020, while in hiding at his rented apartment in Barangay Pulo, Cabuyao, Province of Laguna. Thus, swiftly bringing to justice the principal suspect in the killing of Atty. Wee.
Subject PERALTA was presented for inquest proceedings, for Murder, while JOHN RAYMOND CABANTAO SUAREZ (At-large), a.k.a. RANDY BENITO PALPARAN (At-large) and several John Does were also recommended for prosecution for the same offense.
(NBI-PR)
