Jilted lover nabbed for dermatologist’s slay

MANILA, Philippines -  A man alleged to be slain dermatologist Dr. Russell Fritz Saliganan’s former lover was arrested over the weekend, police said yesterday.

A witness saw John Patrick Torres, 28, entering the apartment of Saliganan, 32, together with the doctor before the killing, said Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Senior Superintendent Richard Albano.

QCPD deputy director for administration Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said Torres is facing murder charges for the killing.

Chief Inspector Rodel Marcelo, head of the QCPD-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU), said the victim’s friends identified Torres as the man with whom the doctor had a relationship.

The victim, a openly homosexual man, had been in a relationship with the suspect but had wanted to end the affair because Torres was possessive, according to Inspector Elmer Monsalve, head of the QCPD-CIDU’s homicide investigation section.

He added that Saliganan had also found a new lover, who was in the province when the killing happened.

Pagdilao said the victim’s friends set up the suspect so police could arrest him at a mall in Cubao on Saturday. A set of metal knuckles was confiscated from Torres, said Senior Police Officer 4 Leonardo Pasco.

Torres refused to comment on allegations against him.

Neighbor Teresa Romero told police she heard noises coming from Saliganan’s apartment. When she noticed that his apartment’s lights were still on at past midnight Friday, she peered through the window and was shocked to find blood spattered on the wall and Saliganan on the floor, his body riddled with stab wounds.

Monsalve said there was no sign of forcible entry into the house, indicating that the victim knew his killer. When the victim was found, investigators believe Saliganan had been dead for about eight hours. They also noted that his body bore defense wounds.