Malonzo appeals for calm over death of a youth leader

Incumbent Caloocan City Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo appealed yesterday to his supporters to calm down after one of his youth leaders was slain on Saturday by still unidentified suspects inside his residence in Dagat-Dagatan.

Malonzo advised his followers to maintain sobriety and avoid making any drastic move which may only "worsen the situation." He promised the family of victim Manuel "Man-man" Aparri that he would do his best to give justice to his death.

"Let the law takes its course," Malonzo said.

The mayor expressed fear that some of his overzealous supporters may avenge the death of Aparri, 26, whom Malonzo claimed is a victim of political violence.

Aparri, also a gay group leader, is the national coordinator of Kaisangbansa, a pro-administration non-government organization (NGO).

Inspector Romeo Onte, Caloocan City police chief investigator, however, said that Aparri could be a victim of a simple case of robbery after it was found out that the suspects took the victim’s laptop, cellphone and undetermined amount of cash.

"A hunt is now ongoing against two suspects, one identified only as a certain Angel," Onte told The STAR.

Witnesses said the victim was seen with Angel and another gay friend, the night before his death.

The victim’s body was discovered by his sister, Badette, inside his residence at Block 57, Lot 20, Phase 3, F-2, Barangay 8 in Kaunlaran Village, Dagat-Dagatan, at around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Aparri sustained at least 30 stab wounds in the chest, neck and back.

Barangay kagawad Jojie Gruta, 44, however, would not easily agree to the police theory that Aparri’s grisly murder was a simple robbery case.

"Why should the suspects bother to stab the victim that much if they only intend to rob him," Gruta said.–Pete Laude