Blue guard tagged in Savannah murder

SQUEALERS Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas and Supt. Renato Gumban present Benigno Segumban and Roy Somcio (standing, 2nd and 3rd from right) who identified the suspects in the killing of Claire Nueros. (FAA)

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

A SECURITY guard of Savannah Subdivision straddling Mandurriao, Iloilo City and Oton, Iloilo is one of the suspects in the sensational rape and murder of a resident of the posh community.

Severino Sangrador Jr., a guard of the Elegant Security Agency hired by Savannah, and Severo Segumban, both of Brgy. Abilay Norte, Oton are being hunted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Oton police station for their alleged involvement in the robbery, rape and murder of Claire Nueros August 3.

Sangrador and Segumban were tagged in the Savannah murder case by the latter’s brother, Benigno, who was arrested Saturday by the CIDG and Oton police for illegal possession of firearms.

Aside from Benigno Segumban, the police also collared Roy Somcio also for unlicensed firearms.

CIDG-6 regional chief Renato Gumban said they recovered from Benigno Segumban and Somcio, two homemade shotguns, a caliber .38 revolver, assorted bullets and camouflage pants allegedly used by the suspects in robbing Nueros’ house.

Gumban said they conducted the search on the house of Benigno Segumban and Somcio early morning Saturday on the strength of a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Domingo Diamante.

Benigno later admitted to the police that he hid the caliber .45 pistol of Nueros’ husband, Dr. Michael Nueros, under a haystack near his house.

The police returned to Brgy. Abilay Norte and recovered the pistol. The serial number on the pistol, 07-04-18612-98, matched the firearm registration record of Dr. Neuros.

The PNP Firearms and Explosive based in Camp Crame also issued a certification showing that Dr. Nueros owned the caliber .45 pistol.

Benigno Segumban later told The Daily Guardian that his brother Severo was involved in Nueros’ death.

“He told me in the morning of August 4 that they were the ones who entered the house of Claire Nueros along with Severino Sangrador. He also asked me to keep the .45 pistol and shotguns. Then they went into hiding,” Benigno said.

Benigno said his brother has sent surrender feelers already.

Gumban said one of the shotguns could have been used to pummel Nueros to death.

Autopsy reports said Nueros died of strangulation and heavy blows to her head. The medico legal officer also found lacerations in her sexual organ, an indication that she may have been raped.

Nueros’ househelp, Charmaine Larupay, said the suspects wore masks, camouflage jackets and shorts and wielded long firearms.

Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas, PNP regional director, said they will investigate Elegant Security if there is proof that it covered up Sangrador’s involvement in the crime.

“Security agencies are under our supervision. We can always investigate them if there is proof,” Cuevas said.

Gumban said they will continue to hunt Severo Segumban and Sangrador who remain at-large.