Blunder leads to identification of suspects in woman’s slay

MANILA, Philippines - Three suspects tagged in the killing of a woman in Barangay Salvacion, Quezon City last Wednesday reportedly tried to conceal the crime by slashing her neck instead of shooting her so as not to create noise, but mistakes on their way out led to their identification.

“There is really no such thing as a perfect crime,” said Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Senior Superintendent Richard Albano referring to the murder case of Maria Gatmaitan.

Three men are being eyed by the police in the slaying of Gatmaitan. Two of them were identified as Cenen Urbano, 72, and his son-in-law Von Bernardo. The third suspect remains unidentified.

Bernardo and the unnamed suspect were said to be the ones who entered the house of Gatmaitan, while Urbano stayed inside the Mitsubishi Adventure parked outside.

‘Not robbers, but relatives’

Inspector Elmer Monsalve, head of the QCPD’s homicide investigation section, said the suspects used a pair of scissors in slashing the victim’s neck.

According to Monsalve, the suspects were armed with a gun but did not fire it, probably to avoid noise that would attract the attention of the neighbors. Instead, the suspects used the gun in whipping Gatmaitan’s mother, who was injured in the incident.

A neighbor saw the suspects hurriedly coming out of the house carrying documents and checks reportedly issued to the slain woman and shouted: “Magnanakaw! Magnanakaw! (Robbers! Robbers!).”

But Bernardo reportedly shouted back: “Hindi kami magnanakaw! (We’re not robbers!).”

“Instead, he (Bernardo) shouted to the screaming neighbor that he was a relative,” Monsalve said in an interview.

QCPD deputy director for administration Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said Urbano’s wife, Dolores, is a distant relative of Gatmaitan’s husband.

Business angle eyed

Monsalve said the victim’s husband, Isagani, has surfaced and said his wife may have been killed over her moneylending business.

He said Bernardo’s wife had reportedly issued checks to the slain woman but wanted them back.

Earlier, Urbano was arrested after registration records showed that he was the owner of the getaway vehicle. He had denied involvement in the crime.

Assistant City Prosecutor Alessandro Jurado yesterday ordered his release from detention.

Jurado amended his earlier resolution, which initially recommended the filing of robbery with homicide charges against Urbano.

Jurado said Urbano should undergo preliminary investigation.

The amended resolution was approved by inquest chief Rogelio Velasco.

On the other hand, Bernardo and the still unidentified suspect remain at large.