Naga sisters’ slay suspect found dead

MANILA, Philippines — A suspect in the killing of two sisters in Naga City, Camarines Sur was reportedly found dead in nearby Cabusao town on Monday.

Police said probers have yet to confirm if the body belonged to Marfe Hufancia, 35, the suspect in the killing of Clodette Jean Divinagracia and her sister Kiela Mae, whose remains were found in separate villages on Sunday.

Lt. Col. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, spokesperson for the Bicol police, said the body would be subjected to DNA testing.

Hufancia’s father, Mario, identified the body to be his son based on the dentures and the ring and clothing the fatality was wearing when he was found in the waters off Barangay Castillo.

Reports said the ring was similar to the engagement ring of one of the slain Divinagracia siblings.

The suspect was a subject of a regionwide manhunt launched by the police after the victims’ remains were found in the villages of Concepcion Grande and Concepcion Pequeña.

At a press conference on Monday morning, Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo and the city police identified Hufancia, an IT professional and resident of Concepcion Pequeña, as a suspect in the murder of the Divinagracia sisters.

Hufancia was believed to be a partner of one of the victims.

Probers are eyeing a crime of passion as the motive for the killing.

The suspect had reportedly sent text messages to his parents, regretting his actions.

Acting Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said the brutality of the crime shocked not only the people of Naga City, but also the entire country.

“We will not tolerate this kind of violence in our community,” Nartatez  said in a statement.

Initial investigation showed Clodette was found beside the road in Barangay Concepcion Grande.

She bore multiple hack wounds in the left arm and neck, and her other arm was decapitated.

Kiela was found wrapped in a bedsheet and bound with power cable in Barangay Concepcion Pequeña.

She bore multiple stab wounds in the chest.