Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770018340707viber_image_2026-02-02_15-09-28_cropped_processed_by_imagy.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The suspect in the killing of a make-up artist in Lobo, Batangas was found dead inside the detention center following his arrest on Saturday, January 31, authorities said Monday. Courtesy of Lobo Police via Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The suspect in the killing of a make-up artist in Lobo, Batangas was found dead inside the detention center following his arrest on Saturday, January 31, authorities said Monday.</p><p>The 22-year old suspect was earlier arrested at a beach resort in Barangay Ibabang Tayuman in San Francisco, Quezon Province after authorities received a tip that the victim’s stolen motorcycle had been seen there. He was then taken to the Lobo Municipal Police Station for processing. </p><p>Police said on Sunday evening, the suspect&#x27;s live-in partner, who was keeping watch on him, noticed he had been in the comfort room for a long time and alerted the guards. </p><p>Police said he was found unconscious and was rushed to the Lobo District Hospital, where he was declared dead at around 6:41 p.m.</p><p>Just hours before the incident, the suspect was interviewed by ABS-CBN News, where he apologized for the crime.</p><p>“Humihingi na lang po ako ng pasensya. Nagdilim lang po paningin ko sir, nakainom po,” the suspect said in a brief statement.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;SIGURO HINDI NAGKASUNDO&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The suspect&#x27;s victim that triggered his arrest was identified as Ar John Abag, 34, who was found dead past 10 p.m. on January 26 along the shoreline of Barangay Fabrica in Lobo. A large wound on his forehead, believed to have been caused by a rock, led to his death.</p><p>CCTV footage reviewed by investigators showed the victim picking up the suspect on a motorcycle from a restaurant. The suspect was later seen alone, driving the victim’s motorcycle after the crime. The clothing he wore—a jacket and shorts—matched those found at the crime scene.</p><p>Authorities also learned that the suspect initiated contact with the victim through chat, and the two agreed to meet and drink by the beach.</p><p>“Nag offer siya ng service sa biktima, magkikita sila, magkakaroon siya ng meet up, siguro po hindi sila nagkasundo,” Lazares said.</p><p>The victim’s parents expressed deep grief over the loss of their son.</p><p>“Tuwing makikita ko, hindi ko mapigil ang aking pag-iyak, Siya ho ang nagsusuporta sa aking pangangilangan gawa ng buwan buwan ako may binibiling gamot,“ said Moding Abag, the victim’s mother.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>ANOTHER VICTIM</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Police further discovered that the suspect had allegedly killed another LGBTQIA+ member on January 9, 2026, in the town of San Juan. The victim, a 57-year-old salon worker, was also reportedly beaten in the face with a large rock before the suspect fled with the victim’s motorcycle.</p><p>&quot;Base po sa aming pag-iimbestiga, ito po ay may may nauna na ring kaso ng pagpatay din po sa bayan ng San Juan dito sa Batangas na halos ganoon din po ang pangyayari, nakipag-meet po sa isang miyembro ng LGBTQ, then after nilang mag-meet ay pinatay po yung ating LGBTQ  member then tinangay din po yun motor, pinagnakawan din po,&quot; Lazares said.</p><p>On Sunday afternoon, hours before the suspect’s death, the niece of the 57-year-old victim confronted him in jail.</p><p>“Pagbayaran niya kung anuman yung sakit ang ibinigay niya sa amin, sa buong pamilya namin at sa mga taong nagmahal sa kanya lalo na mga taga-Batangas at nag-aruga kay tito,” said Jennifer Ballesteros.</p><p>Ar John Abag is scheduled to be laid to rest on Thursday in Lobo, Batangas.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hpuAtWnsJBg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The suspect in the killing of a make-up artist in Lobo, Batangas has died after his arrest on Saturday, January 31 according to authorities.</p>

The suspect in the killing of a make-up artist in Lobo, Batangas has died after his arrest on Saturday, January 31 according to authorities.

Man accused of killing of 2 LGBT members in Batangas found dead in detention center

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Man accused of killing of 2 LGBT members in Batangas found dead in detention center

Dennis Datu,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 02, 2026 03:48 PM PHT

Read More:

Murder

Crime

Police report

Killing

Lobo

Batangas

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