Manhunt on for suspect in nurses’ slay

MANILA, Philippines — The Caloocan police have launched a manhunt for a construction worker suspected of killing two nurses and a nursing student in Barangay 179 last Sunday.

Lt. Col. Ilustre Mendoza, assistant city police chief, said on Friday that Anselmo Singcol reportedly fled to Ormoc, Leyte shortly after the bodies of student Mona Ismael, 22; Glydel Belonio, 28; and Arjay Belencio, 22, were discovered in their house, which was under construction, at around 12:30 p.m.

Police identified Singcol’s brothers Alden and Adonis, also construction workers, as persons of interest.

Singcol was charged with robbery with homicide after police determined that an iPad, several cell phones and at least P40,000 cash were missing.

Mendoza said the victims, who were stabbed repeatedly, were discovered by neighbor Johnny Aliansas, 30, in their house on Catmon street. He said the victims’ relatives asked him to check on them after they failed to answer phone calls for more than 30 minutes.

Probers said the knife was still embedded in Belencio’s back and “there were no signs of forced entry.”

Mendoza said Singcol was reportedly fired after one of the victims discovered he was using illegal drugs.