DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The arrest of Arnel Galot Dela Peña, the alleged gunman of Prosecutor Elanor P. Dela Peña, has cast a stark light on a tragic family conflict rooted in a bitter land dispute.
The incident is believed to have stemmed from a contentious battle over a 20-hectare fish pond in Sulop, Davao del Sur, which Prosecutor Dela Peña had been attempting to recover through legal means. The legal proceedings over this property were still ongoing when the tragic event occurred.
On the afternoon of June 10, at around 5:00 PM, Prosecutor Dela Peña was shot and killed while she was alone in her car at Chapter 8, Tinda Aplaya in Digos City, Davao del Sur. The suspect fired three bullets at her, fatally hitting her in the head.
Later that evening, around 9:40 PM, the Digos City Police apprehended 56-year-old Arnel Galot Dela Peña in Talas, Sulop. The arrest followed swift action by the police based on identifications from witnesses, supported by CCTV footage that captured crucial details of the suspect’s appearance and actions.
Witnesses reported seeing the suspect wearing a black helmet, a blue hooded jacket, and blue jeans while riding a motorcycle. These descriptions matched the person seen in the CCTV footage. In response, the police efficiently sealed off all exit routes, which led to the prompt arrest of Arnel Dela Peña.
During the arrest, authorities recovered crucial evidence including 10 12-gauge shotgun shells, twenty-seven 5.56 MM live rounds, one M16 rifle magazine, and the helmet and jacket that witnesses had described.
Police believe this tragic shooting is the result of a long-standing family feud over the disputed land.
Prosecutor Dela Peña, affectionately known as “Fiscal Neng,” had initiated a lawsuit against her half-brother Arnel to reclaim the fish pond. This legal battle was unresolved at the time of her death.
A lawyer familiar with the case told Newsline Philippines, “Fiscal Neng filed a case against Arnel Dela Peña to recover the 20-hectare fish pond. The legal battle has been ongoing.”
Prosecutor Dela Peña, a mother of four, was well-regarded within the legal community for her composed demeanor and dedication to justice. She was serving as the Provincial Assistant Prosecutor of Davao Occidental at the time of her death.
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Her untimely and violent death has reverberated throughout the legal community. Both the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and the National Prosecutors’ Association have condemned the brutal act and are mourning the loss of a respected colleague and ardent advocate for justice.
In response to the tragedy, the Davao chapter of the IBP is assisting Prosecutor Dela Peña’s family in pursuing justice and filing the necessary legal actions in court today.
