Police have arrested a suspect in the killing of former Puerto Princesa International Airport acting manager Joanna Infante, allegedly marking a key development in the investigation, while they continue to track down other individuals believed to be involved.
Puerto Princesa City Police Office (PPCPO) spokesperson Police Captain Bryan Rayoso confirmed that the suspect was arrested during a “hot pursuit operation” in Barangay San Miguel carried out by joint personnel of Police Station 1 and the City Investigation Unit at around 7:15 p.m. on Monday, February 23.
In an earlier statement posted on its social media, the PPCPO said “a case for murder will be filed against the suspect through inquest proceedings.”
“Yes po, to confirm, meron na tayong na-aresto na suspect doon sa nangyaring pamamaslang kay Ms. Infante. Kagabi lang po, kasalukuyang nasa kustodiya na ng Police Station 1 ang na-arestong individual,” Rayoso said.
Despite calling a press conference on Tuesday, police did not take questions from the media and declined to release additional details about the suspect.
Rayoso explained that details about the suspect’s arrest cannot yet be disclosed because the special task group is still conducting investigations into other persons of interest.
He maintained that further information would be released once follow-up operations are completed.
The limited disclosure left several key points unanswered, including the identity of the suspect, the specific role allegedly played in the killing, and the basis for the hot pursuit operation conducted days after the incident.
Palawan News sources identified the suspect as Motalib Darandan, said to be from Mindanao. According to the same sources, he was allegedly apprehended at the airport on Monday at around 1 p.m.
“Patuloy pa rin ang ating investigation doon at sa pangyayari at merong isinasagawa pa tayong follow up doon sa mga kasamahan ng na-aresto nating individual ngayon,” he added.
Rayoso said the arrest resulted from intelligence-driven operations and coordination among units involved in the case.
He described it as a significant step in the probe but stressed that the investigation is not yet complete.
The suspect is now under the custody of Police Station 1 as authorities prepare documents for the filing of murder charges through inquest proceedings.
“Patuloy ang SITG Infante sa paghabol sa iba pang individual na may kaugnayan po sa krimen,” Rayoso said.
Police have yet to release information about the identity of the suspect or the specific role allegedly played in the killing.
