Arvin and Lerma Lulu's killers planned to commit the crime since July at their home
The suspects behind the killing of online seller couple Arvin and Lerma Lulu planned to murder them as early as July, police said.
"Sa confession ng ating mga suspek, sa ating middleman, they already planned the killings... way back July," Joy Gollayan, Mexico Police Station chief, said in an episode of GMA Network's Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS).
The suspects' original plan was to murder the Lulus at their home in Pampanga but they had issues with its location.
"Nagkataon kasi 'yung location ng bahay ng mag-asawa is malapit sa barangay, malapit sa police outpost. Nag-decline sila na gagawin doon," she said.
Pampanga police have arrested seven suspects—Arnold Taylan, Arnel Buan, Robert Dimaliwat, Rolando Cruz, Jomie Rabandaban, Sancho Nieto, and the alleged mastermind Anthony Limon—on Oct. 15.
They said Limon and his wife even attended the wake of Arvin and Lerma.
Golloyan also told KMJS that Limon's wife is also allegedly involved in the crime.
"'Yung wife ng mastermind natin, nalaman natin 'yung participation niya, which also involves their communication and financial transactions," she said.
Arvin and Lerma, who sold beauty products starting in 2015, were in their car when two motorcycle riders came up and gunned them down on Oct. 4. Arvin was shot six times and Lerma three.
Their six-year-old kid and Lerma's teenage cousin, who were in the car with them, weren't hit.
Limon allegedly owed the couple P13 million, noting it's a possible motive for the murder.
Limon allegedly looked for a middleman to have Arvin and Lerma killed, hiring gunmen and paying them P900,000 to steal a check as well as two mobile phones at the couple’s home.
The suspects, including Limon's wife, are facing two counts of murder.
If found guilty, they may be sentenced to 40 years in prison (reclusion perpetua) and barred from seeking public office for life.
On KMJS, Golloyan said they'd file more cases next week in light of the firearms and explosives they seized from the suspects.
The police are also waiting for the court to issue the warrant of arrest against Limon's wife.