The body of a woman believed to be a commercial sex worker was found near a river in barangay Pandan, Naga City, southern Cebu.
Police later arrested a construction worker who admitted killing the woman after they argued over how much to pay her.
The woman, identified only as Em-em, was found at 5:50 a.m. yesterday. The woman was found with only a shirt on.
Around 2 p.m., police arrested the suspect, Alfredo Largo, 27, in his home in barangay Jaguimit.
Ritchie Canomon, 28, a habal-habal driver, helped police identify Largo. It was Canomon who brought Largo and the woman to the river.
Canomon said he went to the police station after learning that a woman was found dead in a river.
Police showed the photo of the woman to Canomon, who identified her as one of his passengers whom he brought to the river the night before.
Police brought Canomon to the Comelec office to check the records of registered voters and Largo’s record there.
Murder with rape charges will be filed against Largo after he admitted that he forced the woman to have sex with him, said P02 Jeremias Geromo, investigator of the Naga City police.
Largo told police that he went to Cebu City on Wednesday night and got his salary as a construction worker.
On his way home, the laborer said he dropped by the city’s baywalk to have a few drinks. The woman later approached him and Largo agreed to pay her P500 for sexual services.
The man promised to bring her to a motel but instead took her near the river.
They later argued when the man said he could only afford to pay her P200.
The woman insisted on the original agreed amount and took a P500 bill from the man’s pocket.
In an interview, Largo said he was furious and tried to get back the money. They struggled until they fell into the river.
Largo said he drowned the woman there before leaving the area.
His wife Angie said she didn’t notice unusual about her husband until police arrived and arrested him.
Police said the woman’s body has yet to be claimed at the St. Francis Funeral Homes. WITH A REPORT FROM CORRESPONDENT GABRIEL C. BONJOC