By I. Inojales | 11:22 AM January 07, 2026
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — The Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO), under the leadership of Provincial Director Col. Patricio Degay Jr., has once again demonstrated its efficiency in rapid crime response, successfully arresting a murder suspect within hours of a killing in Lila, Bohol.
At around 6:47 p.m. on January 6, , the Lila Municipal Police Station (MPS) received a report of a dead body in a secluded area in Purok 4, Barangay Poblacion, just a few meters from the victim’s workplace. The victim was later identified as Nickole Jaey Galleros Tagac, 33, a caretaker at Villa Santorino Resort and resident of Barangay Candulang, Lila.
Lila MPS personnel immediately secured the crime scene and coordinated with the Provincial Forensic Unit and Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO).
The SOCO team, led by Police Chief Master Sergeant Joemer Miculob, conducted a thorough forensic examination, while Municipal Health Officer Dr. Niña Madelaine Blanes confirmed the cause of death as blunt head trauma resulting from assault.
In a critical breakthrough, a witness voluntarily came forward at Lila MPS at around 3:00 a.m. on January 7, identifying the suspect as Niño Cloma Arabelera, 41, single, and a resident of Barangay Poblacion I, Lila. Acting promptly on the information, Lila chief of police Capt. Exelcis Belciña led a hot pursuit operation.
Just fifteen minutes later, at 3:15 a.m., police successfully arrested Arabelera at his residence in Purok 4, Barangay Poblacion.
Degay condemned the senseless act of violence, extending the PNP’s deepest sympathies to the victim’s family.
“The Bohol Police Provincial Office will exert every effort to ensure justice is served for the death of Nickole Jaey Galleros Tagac,” he said.
Authorities noted that the swift arrest highlights the effectiveness of intelligence-driven policing, strong community cooperation, and the dedication of PNP Bohol in maintaining public safety and upholding the rule of law.
Further investigation is ongoing, and the suspect will face appropriate legal proceedings.
