Love triangle eyed in trader’s murder

MANILA, Philippines - Police investigators are looking into a love triangle as the motive for the killing of a 39-year-old businesswoman in Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City Thursday.

Police arrested Rodelio Ramirez, 49, after six witnesses tagged him as the killer of his wife Maria Luisa, 39, according to Superintendent Cresencio Landicho, Mandaluyong police deputy chief for operations.

Landicho said Ramirez was charged with parricide before the Mandaluyong City prosecutors’ office based on the complaint of the victim’s father, Adolfo Castro, 73.

Police said the statements of the witnesses –  businesswoman Sharon Quizon, Franz Andrew, Sherwin Gallibo, and village watchmen Roque Diaz Jr., Pedro Redobante and Bernardo Vergara – refuted the story of Ramirez regarding his wife’s death.

The suspect claimed that he bumped into the killer of his wife when he returned to their house after she shouted for help.

He said the assassin was wearing a hat to cover his face.

Ramirez claimed that he saw his wife bloodied and lifeless at their townhouse on Araullo street, Barangay Addition Hills.

However, Quizon and Andrew told police they heard Maria Luisa pleading for her life at around 3:30 a.m. They said the couple had a heated argument. Minutes later, they saw Ramirez walking out of the main gate.

The witnesses added that the suspect stopped at a nearby drainage where he dropped the victim’s cell phone and the knife and icepick he allegedly used in the crime.

Prior to the killing, police said Ramirez had filed a complaint with the barangay hall accusing his wife of allegedly having an affair.