CALAMBA CITY, Laguna – The city police chief on Monday declared the killing of a 19-year-old factory worker here as “case solved” with the admission of a suspect while a cohort is still the subject of a manhunt operation.
In a media conference, Calamba police chief Supt. Sancho Celedio, said that suspect Jonathan Corpuz confessed his involvement while pointing to his companion, Jonas Lopez, in the killing of Ronnie Molinar whose body was found at Sitio Bule in Barangay Paciano Rizal here last Oct. 31.
Celedio said that Corpuz was invited for questioning on Sunday at the police station who confessed his involvement to the crime, admitting he was bothered by his conscience.
The suspect, however, claimed self defense in his testimony during the inquest proceeding at the prosecutor’s office on Monday.
The suspect and his live-in partner, Shaira Gumapac, alleged girlfriend of the victim, went to the city police station earlier to clear their names in the killing of Molinar. However, the confession of Corpuz aided by a lawyer, caused Celedio to declare the case solved.
Celedio also informed that the outcome of the autopsy report may elevate the crime to murder based on the appreciation of the court on the stab wounds in the head and back portion the victim’s body. (Zen Trinidad/PNA)