Cops have suspects in brutal Negros killings

MANILA, Philippines — Police in Negros Occidental claimed to have suspects in the brutal killing of two women in Silay and Bago Cities, an online news site said Thursday. Visayan Daily Star (www.visayandailystar.com) cited a report by Silay police head Supt. Jerry Bartolome on the detention of tricycle driver Reneto Castillo, 37, for the killing of Tara Conlu, a 22-year-old nursing graduate. Bartolome cited reports that Castillo was driving the tricycle hired by Conlu to go to her home at St. Francis Subdivision in Silay City, at about 1 a.m. Tuesday. A witness named Miraflor Meno positively identified him as the one who had robbed her at knifepoint at Carmela Subdivision in Silay City last Sept. 10. He said a record check also showed Castillo had previously been charged in court for murder, robbery-hold-up and rape. But Supt. Bartolome said he believes at least two suspects may be involved in the robbery-slay of Conlu. He also admitted all their evidences against Castillo are circumstantial at this time, and they need more statements from witnesses to establish an airtight case against him. Bartolome said they are preparing robbery charges against Castillo before the Silay City Prosecutor's Office for the holdup on Meno. Castillo denied involvement in the robbery-slay of Conlu. Conlu, 22, had 23 stab wounds in her body, 15 of them in her stomach and breast. Her valuables were missing. In Bago City, police said they have a lead in the killing of Loreta Guardario, 54, in Bago City. Guardario sustained 46 stab wounds. Her naked body was discovered at a waiting shed in Calumangan village in Bago City. Supt. Melchor Coronel, Bago police chief, said they already have some leads in their investigations as to the identities of suspects in the rape-slay of Guardario. But he declined to give details, as they are still trying to convince witnesses to help them solve the brutal killing. Investigation so far showed an ice pick and a double bladed weapon were used in stabbing the victim, who was suffering from a nervous breakdown. Sr. Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, on Thursday assured the families of the victims that they are doing everything to solve the two killings. - GMANews.TV