Authorities have arrested seven individuals, including the suspected mastermind, in connection with the murder of online sellers Arvin and Lerma Lulu in Pampanga. The Pampanga police presented three of the suspects during a press briefing on Tuesday, October 15, revealing new details about the motive behind the killing.
According to the police, the alleged mastermind owed the victims ₱13 million, which may have driven the plan to kill the couple. Pampanga police director PCol. Jay Dimaandal stated that the mastermind sought the help of a middleman to arrange the murders and hired gunmen, paying them ₱900,000. The hired assailants were also tasked with stealing a check and two mobile phones from the victims’ home.
Authorities are also investigating whether the mastermind’s wife had any involvement in the crime. During the arrest, police recovered firearms and identification cards from the suspects.
The couple, who had been selling beauty products since 2015, were shot while in their car on October 4. Arvin was hit six times, and Lerma was shot three times. Their six-year-old child and Lerma’s teenage cousin, who were with them in the vehicle, were unharmed.
The suspects are now facing two counts of murder. The investigation gained momentum after a witness came forward, and clear CCTV footage helped identify one of the suspects.
