Construction worker faces murder raps

CEBU, Philippines – The caretaker of a construction site in Barangay Capitol Site is facing criminal charges for allegedly killing his co-worker five months ago.

Cirilo Delicano, a native of Barili, Cebu is facing murder charges for allegedly shooting Joey Abilla, 33, four times midday on April 9, 2010. Abilla was a resident of Barangay Guadalupe. 

Delicano served as a stay-in caretaker, property custodian, and security guard of the construction site.

Eyewitness Anthony Besañez, 44, pipe fitter connected with PMRJ Trading and Sales Services, said that when he was taking his lunch inside the basement of the on-going construction of Best Western Lex Capitol Hotel Building, the victim and the accused had a heated argument.

According to Besañez, Abella was about to sit and have lunch in front of him and told Delicano that they will continue their argument after lunch.

But Delicano, who was standing at the back, suddenly shot Abilla four times with a .45 caliber pistol.

Besañez narrated that Delicano fled while he and his co-workers Mark Vincent Villavecensio and Lito Acompado rushed the victim to the hospital because of the multiple gunshot wounds.

Abilla died minutes after arriving at the hospital.

Abilla's live-in partner Marites Miñoza, 36, said she learned of the incident after her daughter Mary Joy informed her about the incident.

They rushed to the hospital and saw her live-in partner lying in a stretcher already dead. (FREEMAN)