4 nabbed for computer shop slay

MANILA, Philippines - Four people were arrested for allegedly killing a man and stabbing his nephew during a fight at a computer shop in Quezon City recently.

The four suspects are Jonel Meralpis, 21; Sandra Dapat, 21; and Salas brothers James, 21, and Roy, 28. They are all residents of Barangay Holy Spirit and were subjected to inquest proceedings yesterday afternoon on charges of conspiracy to commit murder.

The suspects were arrested at their respective houses Friday during follow-up operations conducted by a team from the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, led by Inspector Elmer Monsalve.

SPO1 Eric Lazo said witnesses identified the four as among the 14 people who killed Joemer Daguna, 28, and attacked his nephew, Francisco Carao, 18, after barging into the Sungold Computer Shop in Barangay Commonwealth Wednesday night. The computer shop’s owner told police that the suspects also robbed the shop.

James, a jeepney driver, claimed that on Wednesday night he was driving his jeepney when several persons threw stones at his vehicle. He sought the help of his friends and waited for the perpetrators along Odigal street.

Carao said he and two of his friends noticed a commotion in the area and decided to go there. He claimed he and his friends were not the ones who threw stones at the jeepney, but said the group of the Salas brothers started pelting stones at them and then chased them.

Carao and his friends ran and hid in the computer shop where his uncle, Daguna, was playing computer games. But the suspects chased them inside and ganged up on Daguna and his nephew.

Daguna was stabbed in the body while Carao sustained injuries including a stab wound in his left arm. They were rushed to East Avenue Medical Center but Daguna was declared dead on arrival.

The owner of the jeepney James was driving was the one who led the police to James’ house.