Pilapil’s companion might be charged with robbery and theft

MANILA, Philippines—Charges of special complex crime of robbery with serious physical injuries and qualified theft may await the companion of actress and former beauty queen Pilar Pilapil on the night she was attacked, a police official said Tuesday.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr. said that charges which may be filed against Rosel Peñas have doubled after new information surrounding her identity surfaced.

Save for the case of special complex crime of robbery with serious physical injuries which will be filed by Pilapil, Peñas may also face a charge of qualified theft after a woman who recognized Peñas’ photograph in the papers called authorities, the CIDG director said.

He stated that the woman claimed that Peñas had worked for her two years ago as a helper in her Metro Manila home. Pagdilao added the woman claimed that Peñas stole money, jewelry and other items from her.

Pagdilao said Pilapil and the woman who claimed to recognize Peñas would have to file charges and urged those who may provide information on Peñas to come forward. He said that new information painted a picture of a deceptive Peñas, after investigators found lie after lie in the information she gave Pilapil.

Pagdilao said that Peñas would have to explain why she lied about the ownership of the beige Kia Carens (CIZ-888) she drove on the night of the attack, her recent arrival from Australia, and her employment.

Pagdilao said the Kia vehicle was sold to Peñas for P480,000, a fact she chose not to tell Pilapil, said Pagdilao. He said the vehicle was not yet transferred from the name of its previous owner, a certain Romeo dela Cuesta, but it was confirmed that an agent sold it to Peñas.

Pilapil was stabbed and left for dead in a grassy lot in Antipolo on the night of April 14. Peñas and the car she drove have disappeared since.