2 nursing grads, student stabbed dead

MANILA, Philippines — Two nursing graduates and a nursing student were found dead with multiple stab wounds at a house along Catmon street in Barangay 179, Caloocan City yesterday afternoon.

Probers identified the fatalities as Mona Ismael, 22; Glydel Belonio, 28, and Arjay Belencio, both nursing graduates.

Lt. Col. Ilustre Mendoza, city police assistant chief for administration, said they have yet to establish the motive for the murders and the identities of the assailants.

Mendoza said the remains of the victims were discovered by their neighbor Johnny Aliansas, 30, inside their house, which is being renovated, at around 12:30 p.m.

According to a police report, Aliansas was instructed by the victims’ relatives to check on them after they failed to respond to phone calls for more than 30 minutes.

Aliansas told probers that the door was locked, prompting him and his companion to break into the house.

Once inside, Aliansas said they discovered Ismael and Belonio lifeless in a room. Belencio was found dead in another room.

Police said the knife was still embedded on Belencio’s back.

“There were no signs of forced entry,” Mendoza said.

Police ruled out robbery as a possible motive for the crime as the victims’ cell phones were found on the bed.

Authorities invited two foremen and all construction workers at the site to shed light on the incident.