As Carcar home torched in ‘parricide coverup’: Caged man charred

CEBU, Philippines — Two of the three fires that hit separate areas in Metro Cebu on Sunday were believed to be intentional – one used to hide an apparent parricide case and another set out by a man to get even with neighbors who had “wrongly” accused him of being a police asset.

Carcar City fire investigators discovered the body of Dailyn Melecio, 24, among the charred debris of what used to be their house in Sitio San Roque, Barangay Liburon before noon yesterday.

It was initially thought that Melecio had died from the severe injuries she suffered from the fire but initial investigation showed she may have already been dead when the house was set ablaze.

The suspect? Her own husband, Romnick Melecio, 39, who is now under police custody.

Police Corporal Argel Noel Espinosa, desk officer of Carcar City Police Station, told The FREEMAN that the couple was mired in a heated fight prior to the incident based on the accounts of the witnesses.

“These two, the suspect and the victim, they allegedly had a heated argument, and a commotion ensued in the house,” Espinosa said in Cebuano.

Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) later recovered a seven-inch knife and an 11-inch bladed weapon from the burnt house, believed to have been used by Romnick in killing his wife.

The discovery of the weapons, along with the statements of witnesses, prompted Carcar police to arrest the suspect.

Witnesses also told authorities that Romnick was seen storming out of the burning house, tagging along their five-month-old child.

Espinosa, however, said that they are still investigating the case further.

The fire left an estimated damage of P75,000.

‘An act of vengeance’

About four hours later, another fire erupted in Sitio Panagdait, Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City, gutting out more or less 25 houses and establishments and killing a man with mental disorder who was said to be caged and chained.

Fire Officer 2 Emerson Arceo, ground commander during the incident, said a certain Guillermo “Jong-Jong” Canabe Jr. intentionally started the fire in his attempt to get back at his neighbors who allegedly tagged him as an asset of the police.

Canabe allegedly ignited the fire by placing several hangers over a butane-fueled stove.

“This one is intentional,” Arceo said, adding that the suspect is now under police custody.

In an interview at the Mabolo Police Station, Canabe admitted being under the influence of illegal drugs when he started the fire.

“Murag ginerbiyos ko unya nisuyop sad ko. Nagluto ko sa butane, dayon akong gibiyaan. Natuyo sad nako (It’s as if I was feeling nervous, and I used drugs. I was cooking and left it. I did it on purpose),” he told reporters.

Canabe, jobless, said that anger pushed him into doing the act because his neighbors allegedly referred to him as a police asset in the illegal drug war.

He said he was once arrested for illegal drug charges but was released. Authorities have not confirmed this claim, though.

In the end, Canabe -- whose family has been living in the area for 25 years now -- apologized for what he had done to his neighbors.

‘Mentally Ill’

Meanwhile, the fatality, identified as Leo Armamento, was said to be mentally incapacitated who did not have any parents or family members living with him.

“Murag gitagkos ni siya kay naa ni siya’y gamayng diperensya sa pangisip (He was tied up because he had mental disorder),” Arceo said.

The charred body of Armamento was found yesterday inside what appeared to be a cage with iron grills. This paper tried to ask relatives and neighbors to get more information about his case but no one was willing to grant an interview.

The Kasambagan fire, which left an estimated half a million pesos worth of damage, was placed under control at 4:40 p.m., or more than an hour after the alarm was received at 3:15 p.m.. It was declared fire out at 6 p.m.

Early dawn that day, the first fire broke out at the house of a certain Antonio Madarang along Lemon Street at Rama Compound in Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City, leaving more or less P200,000 in damage to property.

Although the exact cause is still the subject of investigation, the Bureau of Fire Protection said that the house was being used as a stockroom rented by another person.

The bureau is currently looking at faulty electrical wiring and arson as possible causes of the fire.

The alarm was received at 1 a.m. and the flames were contained about 42 minutes after. — With Rowena D. Capistrano (FREEMAN)