UP Los Baños student killed in predawn robbery attack

A 19-year-old BS Agriculture student of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) died after a stabbing attack at 1:30 a.m. Sunday, police said. Los Baños Police chief Supt. Dante Novicio identified the fatality as Bernard Peñaranda. Citing initial reports, Novicio said two motorcycle-riding men held up Peñaranda and two companions along F.O. Santos St. in Umali Subdivision, a five minute-ride from campus. The two companions rushed Peñaranda to the Los Banos Doctors Hospital after he was stabbed by the robbers, but he was declared dead on arrival. The victim was stabbed once in the chest, Novicio said. Peñaranda was a member of Youth For Christ, UP Entomological Society and Makiling Ultimate Frisbee Club. Authorities are still investigating the incident, the police officer said. The incident happened five days after the rape-slay of 14-year-old Rochel Geronda in Los Baños and the second killing involving a UPLB student this semester. In October 2011, Given Grace Cebanico, a computer science  student, was raped and killed and her body was dumped in a canal along Apec Road in Los Baños. — Anna Mae Lamentillo /LBG/HS, GMA News