Gas boy found dead

Police suspect foul play in the death of a gasoline boy found hanging in his house yesterday in Caloocan City.

The body of Epra Julio, of 214 Libis Nadurata Street, Caloocan City, was found by housemates suspended from a roof beam of the house but his feet were flat on the floor. A polo shirt, with one end looped around his neck and another end tied to the beam, apparently strangled him to death, police said.

Inspector Alberto David, chief of the Station Investigation Branch (SIB) said his men are puzzled by what they saw at the crime scene; but are looking deeper and the alleged suicide’s relatives are being investigated.

Julio’s body was found by his cousin, Arsenio Flores, at around six in the morning yesterday. Flores said his relatives see no reason why the victim would kill himself. He said the victim was not known to be suicidal nor was he nursing any serious problems.

Meanwhile, four young but notorious jeepney robbers, suspected to be members of the Bahala Na and Sigue-Sigue Sputnik gangs, were arrested by men of the Central Police District (CPD) Thursday.

The suspects were identified as Meriel de Leon, of 465 Mundeng Avenue, Barangay Sto. Niño, Marikina; Norman Sombillo, 23, of 14 Kataingan St., Batasan Hills, Elma Lipa, 20, and Gari Susi, 22, both of 34 Pajo St., Project 2, Quezon City. All are jobless.

Charges of robbery and illegal possession of deadly weapons were filed against the suspects in the City Prosecutor’s Office.

Assistant City Prosecutor Alessandro Jurado recommended the indictment of the suspects after finding probable cause. Bail was set at P100,000 each for robbery and P2,000 each for the ordinance violated. – Jerry Botial and Nikko Dizon