Man admits to killing UE professor

MANILA, Philippines - A construction worker confessed yesterday to “accidentally killing” a University of the East professor, a fellow tenant at a house in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Peejay Romero, 29, was arrested by police officers of the Manila Police District Station 4 near a mall after reportedly visiting his mother.

Police officers found in his possession Rowena Calo’s two missing cell phones and a piggy bank with around P15,000 in coins. Romero, who was presented during a press conference yesterday by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, said he wanted to have extra money to use while he was in hiding.

The body of Calo, 42, who also worked as a senior clerk at the school’s guidance counselor’s office, was found naked on her bed Monday afternoon. She had been gagged and strangled with her own belt.

Romero said he killed Calo by accident when she slapped him outside the house’s only bathroom Monday morning.

He said he was about to go to the bathroom after drinking up to the wee hours of the morning when he bumped Calo, who had just finished taking a bath. She slapped him when he denied bumping her on purpose, Romero said.

He said he became angry, grabbed Calo by the neck and started choking her along the hallway. He said Calo dropped the towel during the struggle, the reason she was found naked.

Romero said he carried Calo to her bed, gagged her and strangled her with her belt. He denied raping her.

MPD Station 4 commander Superintendent James Afalla said they are still waiting for results of forensic tests to determine whether Calo had been raped.