2 nabbed for septuagenarian’s slay

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – Police arrested two men for allegedly killing a 76-year-old woman in Paniqui, Tarlac on Saturday.

Rodel Cortez, 18, and Jayson Briones, 22, were arrested 12 hours after they allegedly killed Marcelina Yu, who was found with 30 stab wounds at her home in Barangay Poblacion Norte at about 10:30 a.m.

The suspects owned up to the crime, according to Paniqui police chief Superintendent Salvador Destura Jr.

Destura said witnesses told police they heard the suspects and a certain Jayson Villanueva arguing about the killing of the woman.

“The three apparently broke into the house with Villanueva serving as a lookout but the woman was awakened, prompting Cortez and Briones to kill her,” Destura said.

Briones yesterday signed a statement in the presence of lawyer Rolando Gragasin of the Public Attorney’s Office, admitting he and Cortez killed the victim.

Briones’ confession led to the recovery of the bloodied shirts he and Cortez wore during the crime.

Destura said Cortez was previously charged with frustrated murder and Briones with theft.

Police are hunting down Villanueva.