Minor nabbed in florist’s rob-slay

CEBU, Philippines - A 17-year-old boy was arrested because of his alleged involvement in the robbery and murder of a florist in Cebu City last Monday.

Two other minors were invited by the members of the City Intelligence Branch for questioning on suspicions that they were also involved in the killing of Daniel “Jun” Cañete.

Cebu City Police Office director, Senior Superintendent Noli Romana, said the fingerprints of the suspect matched with the latent prints lifted from the crime scene; hence the arrest.

Romana said there were at least three witnesses who positively identified the 17-year-old boy who was seen on Sunday and on Monday dawn outside the victim’s flower shop along Sikatuna Street in Barangay Day-as shortly before the victim was found dead.

Cañete’s cash amounting to P250,000 and his personal belongings, including two laptops, a tablet and three cellular phones, were reportedly missing.

Two other minors, who are both 16 years old, were invited for questioning at CCPO yesterday noon. They were reportedly together with Cañete and the 17-year-old suspect in a disco bar at the South Road Properties Friday evening. Romana clarified that the 17-year-old suspect and the two other minors had no relationship with the victim.

The three minors admitted meeting with the victim last Friday.

The 17-year-old said Cañete invited them to go with him in his flower shop. They rode a cab and continued their drinking session in the victim’s place.

“Mao ra last kita namo pag-Biyernes. Magkita man unta mi pagka-Domingo unya galain man daw iyang lawas,” the suspect said.

He also revealed that the victim allegedly molested the three of them and paid them with P1,400. One of the 16-year-old invited for questioning added that they divided the money among themselves. Each reportedly had P300 while the remaining P500 was used for their recreational activities after. But they denied killing Cañete.

“Naa ra mi sa balay. Nahibong mi nga gi-pick-up na isa namo ka amigo pagka-Martes. Naa maka-testify nga naa ra gyud mi sa balay bisag among mga ginikanan. Wa man mi’y sala,” one minor said.

The mother of the 17-year-old suspect showed up at the CCPO to defend her son, adding that the latter was sleeping at his father’s house in the same Barangay Pooc, Talisay City.

The sister of the victim who appeared before the CIB office to assist the filing of charges against the 17-year-old suspect declined to give further comment pending investigation.

Romana said charges for robbery with homicide will be filed against the 17-year-old suspect. — (FREEMAN)