By Jennifer P. Rendon
A live-in couple was found dead inside a parked vehicle on the afternoon of Nov. 4 in Buruanga, Aklan.
Leda Cenon, chief of the Buruanga Municipal Local Government Operations Office, and Richan Bartolome, head of the Municipal Auxiliary Police, both sustained gunshot wounds to the left side of their chests.
Their bodies were discovered inside Cenon’s Toyota Wigo hatchback, parked along a roadside in Barangay Panilongan, about eight kilometers from the town proper.
No one reportedly heard any gunshots, as the vehicle was parked a considerable distance from the nearest houses, and few vehicles pass through the area.
Village watchmen alerted the police after noticing two seemingly lifeless bodies inside the vehicle.
Bartolome was seated in the back passenger seat, while Cenon was in the driver’s seat. A .38 caliber revolver was found near Bartolome’s body.
A watchman had noticed the vehicle parked at around 8 a.m., but the couple’s death was only discovered at 5 p.m.
Colonel Victorino Romanillos, chief of the Aklan Police Provincial Office (AkPPO), said investigators suspect a murder-suicide.
Police theorize that Bartolome may have shot Cenon before taking his own life.
Prior to the incident, reports indicated that Cenon wanted to end her relationship with Bartolome.
The couple shared a five-year-old son. Cenon was also married to another man, who is currently incarcerated on a drug-related offense, and they have a child together.
Bartolome also had a child from a previous relationship. Family and friends described him as possessive of Cenon.
“Maybe, part of it was his insecurity, as Cenon was an achiever,” Romanillos said.
Recently, Cenon had been frequently visiting her parents’ home in Tangalan town. She even confided to Buruanga Mayor Concepcion Labindao, saying she “could no longer take it,” though she did not elaborate further.
Labindao reportedly advised her to temporarily stay at Traveler’s Inn if she did not feel comfortable going home.
Bartolome’s friends and family noted he had been acting strangely over the past week.
“He seemed restless and couldn’t sleep. He even mentioned a land title he wanted to leave for his child from a previous relationship, and asked his family to take care of his motorcycle,” Romanillos said.
On Sunday morning, Bartolome allegedly texted the mayor, expressing gratitude for her support and referring to her as a second parent.
Romanillos stated that the investigation is ongoing to confirm their theory of murder-suicide.
