BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO CITY – The primary suspect in the killing of former barangay captain and current barangay kagawad Jeovanie Tresti in Barangay San Rafael, Tigbauan, Iloilo has surrendered to authorities.
John Castro Jr. turned himself in on October 28 at the Iloilo City Police Office, accompanied by Love Joy Hosenilla, head of the Anti-Squatting and Illegal Structures Unit (ASIS-U) of the Iloilo City Government, who facilitated the surrender.
Castro, who is accused of shooting Tresti on October 24, recounted to Panay News the circumstances leading to the incident.
He claimed he was at the river in Barangay San Rafael to celebrate his birthday and catch fish when Tresti confronted him and allegedly attacked him with a machete.
Castro said he pleaded with Tresti to put down the weapon, but when Tresti reportedly ignored him, Castro shot him in self-defense.
After the shooting, Castro fled and remained in hiding within Barangay San Rafael.
Castro disclosed an ongoing dispute with Tresti, alleging that the baranga kagawad had approached him multiple times over the past six years to target certain individuals, including a former Coast Guard member and the family of a complainant in a case against Tresti.
Castro maintained he refused these requests, emphasizing that he was not a gun-for-hire.
Previously imprisoned on charges of murder and illegal firearm possession, Castro claimed the weapon used in the incident was borrowed from a barangay officer.
He also acknowledged knowing Nilo Guardaya, a suspect in another high-profile killing of former barangay captain Ernie Poral in La Paz, Iloilo City. Castro claimed Guardaya also threatened his life.
Police Colonel Bayani Razalan, Director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), assured the public of the Tigbauan Police and Provincial Mobile Force Company’s commitment to securing Tresti’s family and the residents of Barangay San Rafael./PN
