Leganes plaza killing suspect arrested

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 29-year-old man was found dead at the public plaza in Leganes, Iloilo.

Police and residents initially failed to identify the victim, but an employer later identified him as Jhomel Alejandro of Barangay Democracia, Jaro, Iloilo City.

Alejandro, who was orphaned, worked at a store selling plastic wares in Jaro.

Police said the victim had allegedly been seen loitering in the town proper of Leganes for about five days before his body was found at the plaza pavilion.

Leganes police chief Capt. Gen. Enrique Robles said the victim sustained hematomas on several parts of his body and a slash wound on the neck.

Investigators later obtained closed-circuit television footage that showed five males in the area where the body was found from 3 to 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Two young witnesses who were seen outside the pavilion later appeared before investigators and identified three teenagers allegedly involved in the killing, police said.

Robles said the witnesses claimed that alias Biboy, 19, a resident of Barangay Cagamutan Sur, Leganes, encouraged the group to target the victim.

Police said two boys ages 14 and 15 were with him.

Investigators said the three suspects allegedly took turns punching the victim.

Police said the two younger boys later warned Biboy not to inflict more harm on the victim.

Investigators alleged that Biboy then broke an empty bottle and slashed the victim’s throat.

Police arrested Biboy at about midnight on April 9 at his home in Barangay Cagamutan Sur.

Robles said an inquest complaint for murder would be filed against the 19-year-old suspect.

Police said the two younger suspects were not at their homes when officers tried to locate them.