Man rapped for killing of contractor

Police filed murder charges against the principal suspect in the killing of a 52-year-old man who last week was found dead and buried in concrete inside his house in Quezon City.

No bail was recommended for the temporary release of Ruben del Valle, 41, welder, of 283 Unit 3, Riverside, Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City. But the city prosecutor recommended P2,000 as bail of the accused for violation of City Ordinance 5121 (Concealing/Possession of a Deadly Weapon).

A 20-inch jungle bolo was found in Del Valle’s possession when operatives of the Central Police District’s Central Investigation Unit (CIU) arrested him last Nov. 14 in connection with the death of Jesus Aguilar Sr., a contractor who had been reported missing by his relatives.

Another suspect identified as Eduardo Lombra, a native of Cuartero, Capiz, and residing at Area 6B Saint Michael, Purok Sto. Domingo, Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City, remains at large.

Aguilar’s decomposing body was unearthed by CIU operatives in the afternoon of Nov. 4 after neighbors complained of a foul smell emitted from the victim’s house at 368 St. Paul street, Republic Avenue, Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City.

Case investigator Police Officer 3 Juan Mortel said that Aguilar was buried by his alleged killers under the staircase of his house, which was still under construction.

Mortel said the accused and his cohort practically built an improvised grave for the victim with concrete and hollow blocks. Aguilar was found with a gunshot wound in the head and his body was wrapped in a bedsheet.

The discovery of Aguilar’s body prompted witness Telesforo Salvo, 41, also of Barangay Commonwealth, to come forward and point to Del Valle and Lombra as the perpetrators of the crime, Mortel said. – Mike Frialde