Suspect in slay of ex-Leyte vice mayor, son claims self-defense

TACLOBAN CITY – One of the three suspects arrested in the abduction and killing of former Abuyog, Leyte vice mayor James Bohol and his son, Carlo, has claimed that the fatal stabbing was an act of self-defense after an alleged confrontation over an unpaid loan.

In a video that surfaced on social media, the suspect, who identified himself as Mark James Taboy, 30, of Barangay Amandayehan, Samar, admitted participating in the abduction and killing but insisted that neither he nor his companions had intended to kill the victims.

According to Taboy, he and two companions, identified as Kim Solayao,27, and Reniel Galza, 24, went to Bohol’s office, which some residents described as a warehouse, in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Mayorga, Leyte on Saturday, June 27, to ask the former vice mayor to defer payment of a loan.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: 3 surrender, confess to murder of ex-Leyte vice mayor, son

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

“But he and his son shouted at me, saying, ‘You are abusive.’ That led to a fight between us,” Taboy said in the video.

Despite the confrontation, Taboy described Bohol as someone who had helped him in business.

“He was good to me. I bought my cooking oil supplies from him, and he supported my business,” he said.

Taboy claimed that after he and his companions overpowered Bohol and his son, they tied the two victims, forced them into a vehicle, and drove toward neighboring Abuyog town.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Our original plan was only to bring them somewhere in Abuyog. We covered their faces with black plastic bags so they would not know where we were taking them,” he said.

Heated argument

Article continues after this advertisement

However, Taboy alleged that while inside the vehicle, Carlo Bohol engaged in a heated argument with Solayao,  which eventually turned violent.

“He threatened to kill our families. We did not want anything to happen to our families. That was why we did what we did,” Taboy claimed.

He admitted that the father and son were repeatedly stabbed with a knife. He also insisted that no firearms were used during the incident.

“We had no intention of killing them. It was an accident and an act of self-defense. We panicked after stabbing them and decided to throw their bodies into a ravine,” he said.

Bodies dumped in a ravine

The bodies of James and Carlo Bohol were later dumped in a ravine in Barangay Imelda, Silago, Southern Leyte, where they were discovered at about 9:57 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30.

“We regret what happened, but it already happened. We are ready to face the consequences,” Taboy said.

Police have not verified the suspect’s version of events.

READ: Ex-vice mayor, son confirmed dead; cops intensify hunt for killers

The Police Regional Office-8 (PRO-8) confirmed on Wednesday that Taboy and his two alleged accomplices surrendered to Pasay police at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday, following a joint law enforcement operation. They are currently under police custody and are expected to be returned to Eastern Visayas to face criminal charges.

PRO-8 has yet to disclose additional details on the arrests or identify the other suspects pending the filing of formal charges. Authorities also declined to comment on the possible motive behind the crime, saying the investigation remains ongoing.

READ: Cops probe possible abduction of ex-Abuyog vice mayor, son

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

The disappearance of the former vice mayor and his son triggered an intensive police search after the two were reported missing on June 27./coa