Belgian hacked to death, burned in Bohol

A Belgian national Hendrik Steegmans was hacked to death in Danao in Bohol province, the Philippine National Police said Tuesday.   Steegmans’ partially burned corpse was found July 23 inside the Myrela Internet Café, which police suspect was set on fire in an attempt to hide the murder.

  The computer shop is owned and operated by Steegmans and his wife Myriam Flamoste, according to investigators.

  Bystanders and police officers were able to put out the fire in about five minutes. In a phone interview Wednesday with GMA News Online, investigator-on-case PO2 Felix Saldivar said Steegmans body was found at about 9:15 am, wrapped in a blanket and his feet were partially burned.   Saldivar said their investigation revealed that the Belgian was dead before the fire was set.   Aside from the burned feet, Steegmans had hack wounds to his head and shoulders.

  Interviews at the crime scene were conducted and among those questioned was one of the bystanders.   The police learned that one of the bystanders, who was among those who helped put out the fire may have committed the murder and ensuing cover-up.   Saldivar said that the suspect was providing them with leads that were either dead-ends or implausible given the forensic evidence.   When finally confronted by the police on Tuesday, the suspect confessed to the crime. Police said the 29-year-old suspect was an employee of Steegmans’ internet shop.   Saldivar and the investigative team said the suspect lost his temper and attacked Steegmans as he was being scolded by the Belgian national. The suspect had set fire to the shop in order to destroy evidence of the crime.   The suspect is detained at the Danao Police Station. Steegmans’ body was claimed by his wife Wednesday morning and was taken to Tagbilaran for embalming.   “We are collating and preparing the evidence,” said Saldivar, “He [the suspect] will be charged tomorrow.” — DVM/ELR, GMA News