2 teens arrested for village official's rob-slay

MANILA, Philippines - Two teenagers were arrested after robbing and killing a village official in his own house in Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

Jeffrey Lignes, 19, of Barangay Pansol, and his 16-year-old accomplice were arrested for robbing and killing barangay councilman Joven Laurora, 41.

Police Officer 2 Anthony Tejerero said the 16-year-old suspect’s parents own a liquefied petroleum gas shop. Lignes works for the boy’s parents.

Laurora was already dead when he was found at past 1 a.m. in his room. He sustained a slash in the neck, a stab wound in the chest and multiple stab wounds in the back.

A screwdriver, found in Lignes’ pocket, was believed to have been used by the suspects. Police officers also recovered the victim’s laptop, cell phone and other valuables from the teenagers.

Neighbors told police that the two teenagers were frequent visitors at Laurora’s house and even slept over there at times. They said they heard shouts for help coming from the house of the victim. When they came nearer to the house, they heard the victim groan.

One of them fetched a policeman while the others who stayed behind saw the two teenagers come out carrying a backpack and hurrying toward the neighborhood basketball court, where a Yamaha motorcycle was parked.