A suspect in the killing of 24-year-old Isaac Vergel Viernes allegedly admitted stabbing the victim before another man shot him, according to a Cebu City police progress report obtained by the media on Thursday, Oct. 22.
The suspect surrendered to the Cebu City Police Office on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 21, and was later arrested on an outstanding warrant for attempted murder, the report said.
In a videotaped extrajudicial confession, the suspect allegedly told investigators that he attacked Isaac in Sitio Riverside, Barangay Pahina Central, on the morning of Oct. 8. He claimed another man joined the assault and instructed him to stab the victim.
The suspect further alleged that a third individual was summoned to the scene and shot Isaac, resulting in his death.
Police said investigators were preparing a murder case against the principal suspects and several other individuals through regular preliminary investigation. The allegations have yet to be established in court.
The suspect surrendered at around 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 through a police unit commander. Authorities arrested him at around 10:45 p.m. under a warrant issued in a 2024 attempted-murder case.
The warrant cited in the police report was for attempted murder and was not connected to Isaac’s killing.
Another principal suspect was arrested on Oct. 20 in Sitio Taytayan, Barangay Pahina Central, for alleged violations of laws governing firearms and explosives.
Police identified the two individuals as the principal suspects arrested so far in connection with the investigation.
Isaac’s skeletal remains were discovered on Oct. 19 in a vacant lot at the former One Citilink Terminal in Barangay Pahina Central, days after his family reported him missing.
His mother identified the remains through the black shorts and red underwear he was wearing, as well as a gap in his teeth.
She last saw Isaac in the early hours of Oct. 7, after he returned home from selling sisig. He left shortly afterward, and his family initially believed he might have gone to his live-in partner’s home in Barangay Labangon.
The family later sought help from authorities after receiving information that Isaac might have been buried in the vacant lot. An inspection of the site led to the recovery of his remains.
Police said investigators interviewed witnesses, reviewed closed-circuit television footage and examined the crime scene as part of their investigation.
Authorities have yet to disclose a confirmed motive for the killing.
Comments