Lila Mayor Atty. Jed Piollo hands over the reward money to the crime informant. (Contributed photo)
A 41-year-old man was arrested early Wednesday morning in connection with the killing of a woman whose body was found in a grassy area in Barangay Poblacion, Lila, Bohol, police said.
Suspected shabu-addict Niño Cloma Arabelera, a resident of Barangay Poblacion I, was apprehended at his home around 3 a.m. Jan. 7, 2026 following a hot pursuit operation conducted by local authorities, according to the Lila Police Station.
The victim, identified as Nicole Tagac, 33, of Barangay Candulang, was discovered dead Tuesday evening in a grassy area near the inland resort where she worked.
Police said she was attacked while walking home from her shift around 6 p.m.
PSSG Randy Lapaz said that Arabelera confessed to the killing shortly after his arrest.
“He admitted it was done on a whim, that he acted on impulse,” Lapaz said.
Investigators believe Tagac was sexually assaulted before being killed.
The suspect is now in custody at the Lila Police Station and faces murder charges, which were formally filed Wednesday afternoon.
The case was solved within hours, thanks in part to an eyewitness who came forward with crucial information about the crime.
Lila Mayor Atty. Arturo Jed Piollo, who had offered a P100,000-peso reward for information leading to an arrest, announced Wednesday that the full amount was awarded to the witness who saw the crime occur.
“Today, we gave the entire amount of P100,000 pesos to the informant who personally witnessed the crime that happened the other day, and who was instrumental in the fastest resolution of this case,” Piollo said in a statement.
The murder case filed against Arabelera is supported by the eyewitness’s affidavit and material evidence collected from multiple locations, according to police.
The Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) and the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) assisted local police in gathering evidence from the victim’s body, the accused and the crime scene.
“We will make sure there is no escape for the accused so he can face the justice he deserves,” Piollo said.
In his statement, Piollo characterized the killing as an isolated incident and sought to reassure residents that Lila remains a safe town.
The mayor linked the crime to illegal drug use, calling substance abuse a root cause of such violent incidents.
“We have done our best to address the reason behind this unfortunate incident — illegal drugs,” Piollo said. “Every Lilanhon deserves to live in a peaceful and orderly community. We strongly condemn illegal substance abuse and the injustices that they bring.”
Piollo pledged continued support for anti-drug operations in the municipality.
“We strongly support and continue our own war on drugs,” he added.