Cops release photo of gay beauty queen turned rob-slay suspect

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Police District (MPD) released yesterday a photograph of a gay beauty pageant titlist who allegedly robbed a friend’s condominium unit of P500,000 in jewelry and stabbed her two maids last Tuesday.

MPD homicide section head Chief Inspector Erwin Margarejo said Nelson Bartolome, alias “Joyce,” has been sighted in Caloocan City and Bulacan province but always managed to elude pursuing policemen.

“All information will be treated confidential, and we are mulling of giving reward to anyone who can provide leads to the arrest of Bartolome and his companion,” Margarejo said.   

Danilo Bermejo, a guard on duty at the C.E. Chong Condominium in Sta. Cruz, Manila identified Bartolome, 26, and Bryan Ang, 19, as the ones who told him they were sent by Melissa Malibiran to get something from her unit on the third floor. Malibiran was then at her mother’s wake.

Ang was arrested but was later released when maid Teresita Mantal, who survived the stabbing, failed to identify him as Bartolome’s companion.

The other maid, Evangeline Ventura, died of multiple stab wounds.

Margarejo said Ang admitted having been a lover of Bartolome in the past, but denied his participation in the crime.             

Malibiran and her husband said they lost jewelry worth at least P500,000 and a 9mm pistol.