Suspect admits killing Grade 7 student out of jealousy —Laguna top cop

The suspect in the killing of the Grade 7 student Mark Anthony Miranda in Calamba, Laguna, has admitted that he committed the crime out of jealousy, the chief of the Laguna provincial police said on Tuesday.

"May pag-amin na rin siyang ginawa na through jealousy nga... Umamin naman siya," Police Colonel Eleazar Matta told reporters in Camp Crame.

Matta said Renando Valderrama was nabbed in Barangay Bucal, Calamba City, adding that he could have been nabbed by authorities because of hunger as he went down from the hilly side of Barangay Masili to look for food.

"Bale pumapatak two to three days pa lang namin siyang mina-manhunt... Ang reason nga niya nagutom, nauhaw kaya siya bumababa. Nagbigay yata siya ng message na until the last ano ng bata, gusto niyang makita 'yung bata," Matta said.

Authorities seized some weapons from the suspect.

"Nakuha sa kaniya 'yung baril, nakuha rin sa kaniya 'yung ibang bladed weapons," Matta said.

The police will file murder and illegal possession of firearms charges against the suspect.

Valderama worked as a security guard and went AWOL on July 1 without having turned over the firearm to his co-worker.

Police also confirmed that the victim stayed in one house with Valderama.

The two were introduced in March after which the suspect offered to adopt Miranda and send him to school.

However, Miranda ran away on June 15, boarding a jeepney even without slippers, then called his best friend to pick him up, police said.

Miranda alleged that he was sexually abused by the suspect.

Valderama allegedly urged the victim to move back in with him but was unsuccessful. — MDM/KBK, GMA News