No bail for suspect in masseuse's slay

CEBU, Philippines - Charges were filed last Friday against the man tagged for killing a female massage therapist who went missing and was found buried two days after in Barangay Agsungot, Cebu City.

Arnel Padillo, 25, is now facing robbery with homicide charges before the Regional Trial Court for the death of his first degree cousin’s live-in partner.

Prosecutor Dixon Fuentes recommended no bail for the accused who earlier admitted killing Marie Kris Villadolid and said he felt guilty for what he did.

At the prosecutor’s office, the accused waived his rights for preliminary investigation.

In his sworn statement, the victim’s live-in partner, Richard Taburnal, said Villadolid went missing last August 6. She was found lifeless and buried near the bamboo tree at Sitio Hubao last August 8.

Taburnal said the victim did not go home last August 6 and he thought she went to her aunt’s house in Mandaue City. However, he became worried when the victim did not return home the next day.

He later found out that his partner went home with co-worker Linelyn Limpag on August 6.

Taburnal said he became worried and reported the incident to Talamban Police Station.

With the help of his relatives and Agsungot barangay officials, Taburada searched for his missing live-in partner and later found Villadolid’s dead body.   Taburnal identified his cousin Padillo as responsible for Villadolid’s death.

“I already suspected that something tragic had happened to her. And that the person responsible is Arnel Padillo, because prior to the incident he came to our house and offered to sell some coconuts, and which I told him that I have no money but my wife who is coming home later,” Taburnal’s affidavit reads.

Motorcycle driver Jonar Argente’s affidavit corroborated Taburnal’s claims saying he had a passenger whom he later knew as Padillo, who boarded his motorcycle and confided to him that he (Padillo) robbed and killed a victim somewhere in Barangay Agsungot.

Argente said Padillo then asked if he would buy a cell phone but he declined.

Barangay officials, together with the Homicide Section of Cebu City Police Office, conducted hot pursuit operations against Padillo who was later arrested when the latter was spotted and held by the residents of Barangay Agsungot at around 7:00 p.m last August 10.

Prior to his custody, Padillo received a beating from the residents who helped arrest him.  - (THE FREEMAN)