Second suspect in UPLB student’s slay surrenders

CAMP PACIANO RIZAL, Philippines — The second suspect in the murder of a student of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) turned himself in on Friday, authorities said.

Lester Ivan Lopez Rivera, a security guard of the PS Bank branch in Los Baños, surrendered to police in Floridablanca, Pampanga at around 7 a.m. Friday, Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz Laguna police director, said
by phone.

He said Rivera went into hiding in his relatives’ home in Pampanga but surrendered after hearing news reports about the murder.

Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr., Philippine National Police spokesperson, said that the suspect’s grandfather tipped off authorities about Rivera’s whereabouts Thursday night.

Rivera was turned over to Floridablanca police, said Cruz.

Laguna police arrested Thursday Percival de Guzman alias “Totoy”, 38, a tricycle driver from Barangay Batong Malaki in Los Banos.

De Guzman’s tricycle was allegedly used in abducting Cebanico as she was walking home after a group meeting last Monday.

Laguna police director Cruz said that Cebanico may have been forced into De Guzman’s tricycle while walking along Diamond Street in Umali Subdivision, a residential area located near the UPLB campus.

Cebanico was staying at the 5th of September Mansion, a dormitory along Diamond Street in Umali Subdivision.

Her body was found Tuesday morning in a canal along IPB Road in Barangay Putho Tuntungin, Los Banos.

She was handcuffed and was bruised, gagged and even shot, police said.

Superintendent Dante Novicio, Los Baños police chief, said De Guzman admitted to abducting Cebanico on Tuesday morning.

De Guzman said they took turns raping Cebanico before Rivera shot her at the back.