2 men found dead in abandoned SUV
Two men were found dead with stab wounds and strangulation marks inside an abandoned Honda CRV in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City, Friday morning. Still unidentified at press time, they were both found in the backseat of the gray sport utility vehicle parked near the house of Johnny Malto at the corner of Cerilo and De Leon Streets, said PO2 Hermogenes Capili of the Quezon City Police District. They both appeared to be in their early 40s, one wearing a red shirt and black pants and sporting tattoos that read “‘Gnad” and “Madrigal,” and the other in a black shirt and blue jeans, with tattoos that read “Gorilla” and “Valve Wire.” Capili said an initial check showed the SUV (XPB-777) to be registered to Angelito Nicolas of Bulacan province. Julie M. Aurelio
Pasig cemetery guard held for girl’s slay
A security guard being linked to the killing of a 9-year-old girl in Pasig City was arrested before dawn Friday. The police said they had obtained a security camera footage making Joseph Marson Asis Dimayacyac a suspect in the minor’s death. The 36-year-old guard posted at Evergreen Memorial Garden in Pasig faces murder charges for the gruesome death of Jenn Beatrice de Leon of Dilang 1, Nagpayong, Barangay Pinagbuhatan. Insp. Perfecto de Mayo Jr. of the Pasig police said the footage showed Dimayacyac following the girl at the cemetery hours before she was reported missing on the night of Nov. 26. Before she was recorded on video, the child was with her mother at a nearby drugstore and asked for permission to buy drinks at a store near the cemetery. Further investigation showed that she later asked some guards if she could use a toilet there. De Leon’s body was later found decomposing, her head bashed and jaw dislocated, on a vacant lot in the cemetery on Wednesday. Before the police saw the footage, Dimayacyac underwent questioning and denied noticing a girl in the cemetery that night. Dimayacyac was arrested Friday at his residence in Barangay Macabling, Sta. Rosa, Laguna province. As of Friday, the Pasig police are still awaiting autopsy results that could indicate if the girl was also raped. Nathaniel R. Melican
Crispino ‘Bobot’ Meru, photojournalist; 57
Veteran photojournalist Crispino “Bobot” Meru Jr. passed away Dec. 1 at age of 57. Meru started his career at The Manila Chronicle, then moved on as contributing photographer for local and foreign media outlets like Asiaweek Magazine, ABS-CBN Publishing, Lifestyle Asia/Taipan, Summit Media and Philippine Daily Inquirer, among others. He also found success as a commercial photographer. Some of his photographs have been included in award-winning books. He taught a diploma course in professional photography at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde. Meru is survived by wife Yolanda, daughter Nikon Francesca, son Crispino Meru III, daughter-in-law Elaine and granddaughter Zara. His body lies in state at La Funeraria Paz, Manila Memorial Park, Sucat, Parañaque City. Interment is noontime on Dec. 7.
Miss Earth coronation in Alabang Saturday night
Versailles Village in Alabang is the venue for Saturday night’s coronation of Miss Earth 2013—the second consecutive year that it will host the pageant’s culminating activity. All 83 candidates from various countries will gather at Versailles for the crowning of Miss Earth and four others in the magic circle. Welcoming the candidates to their grand night, the entrance to Versailles has lighted colonnades and dancing fountains. On Dec. 2, Miss Kazakhstan was named Miss Versailles. The subdivision, located across from Ayala Alabang, is named after a wealthy suburb southwest of the French capital of Paris. Developers describe it as a luxurious village priced just right for those who crave solace and greenery yet want urban amenities within reach. It is near topnotch schools like De La Salle Zobel, San Beda College and Woodrose School, as well as premier hospitals like Asian Hospital and Medical Center and the first-class Alabang Golf & Country Club. Master-planned by environmentalist and urban planner Palafox Associates, Versailles is 15 minutes away from the Makati City central business district and Ninoy Aquino International Airport via Skyway.