Man nabbed for murder of Bulacan woman, teen

PLARIDEL, BULACAN — A man was arrested Tuesday night (Jan. 8) for the stabbing to death of a woman and her 14-year-old granddaughter on Jan. 7.

Jay Vincent Marmeto, 27, was the lone suspect in the Monday morning home invasion that led to the death of Sylvia Castillo, 64, and teenager Xyrene Margarette San Pedro inside their house at Tabang village, said Supt. Chito Bersaluna, Bulacan police director.

James Cyrus Maliksi, 7, Castillo’s other grandchild, survived 12 stab wounds and is being treated in a hospital. Marmeto stabbed Castillo twice, while San Pedro suffered 10 stab wounds.

A confidential informant led the police to Mamerto’s home in the same village at 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday, shortly after Mayor Jocell Vistan put out a P100,000 bounty. Marmeto reportedly admitted killing the woman and her granddaughter after a botched robbery at 6 a.m.

The victims were having breakfast during the break-in, and may have tried to fight off Mamerto, said Supt. Laurente Aquiot, Plaridel police chief. Nothing was stolen.

Castillo’s grandchildren spent the night at their grandmother’s home on Sunday (Jan. 6). They live with their parents in an apartment in Tabang./lzb